ã€ŠA Titan&#x27;s Core [LitRPG Isekai]ã€‹


 Prologue: A Titans Core

    Baldor watched with a grim set to his jaw as Arik, his brother-in-arms, ground the monster''s skull under his boot, the eye socket cracking like an egg, its goopy contents spilling out. Tentacles writhed, casting otherworldly shadows around the dungeon''s entrance chamber. With a final shudder, the beast''s maw stretched wide in a silent, dying gasp, a nightmarish display of needle-like teeth.

    "Looks more like some deep-sea nightmare than a bloody dungeon minion." Baldor grumbled, his distaste clear as day.

    Arik, unfazed, shook his head. "It''s no minion."

    Baldor tensed, mana sparking at his fingertips. "Then what in the ten hells is it?"

    "My bet? A blood parasite." Arik eyed the carcass with a hunter''s interest.

    Baldor swallowed hard. "A parasite the size of bear?"

    ¡°Yes, Titan spawned parasites are as big as they are ugly.¡± Arik held up a finger and lowered his voice. "I¡¯ve heard tell, the last elemental Titans are bunkered down in dungeons like these."

    Baldor¡¯s face lost a shade, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm. He was a man of spells, a scholar of arcane knowledge, not a muscle-bound brawler like Arik. Titans were the stuff of nightmares, tales told to scare children into bed. So monstrous was their size, it was said they could strike fear in the fiercest champion the most powerful dungeon core could summon.

    "Maybe we ought to rally the men before we go deeper?" Baldor found little comfort from the stirring of mana within. The air crackled with energy as he readied his Ripple Shield spell, a conjuration of wind used to defend against powerful strikes.

    Arik, still mashing the beast''s skull into paste with his warhammer, grunted, "Never too cautious, brother. Blood parasites are as tough as old boots, and sneaky buggers, they know how to play dead."

    Baldor swiped at the sweat beading on his brow. "If that thing gets back up, after you splattered its brains everywhere, I owe you a barrel, not just a mug of ale."

    Arik landed a final blow.

    "I''ve had my share of adventures since we last fought side by side." Arik¡¯s grip tightened on his hammer, his eyes darkening. "Seen things... things no man ought to."

    "Anything more twisted than those pig-men back at Swamp Dungeon?" Baldor forced a smile, a vain attempt to lighten the grim mood. ¡°Put me off bacon for life.¡±

    The two men laughed.

    Arik hefted his hammer, poised for destruction. "Draw your arcane blade, brother."

    Baldor followed Arik''s lead without hesitation¡ªhis mana-enchanted sword like molten iron. Arik had been his commander in the last war, leading many a man through the fires of hell and back out again. And while peace had made them rich from dungeon spoils, it had only stoked Arik¡¯s ambition.

    This time Arik had the rest of their adventuring party wait outside, claiming it was nothing more than a low-level elemental dungeon¡ªa truth that the sea-salt-encrusted mana crystals seemed to support, casting an ethereal glow around them.

    Truth be told, neither of them were spring chickens anymore; the lines on their faces and the silver in their hair betrayed the immortal legends they¡¯d been regarded as. Baldor had grown weary of the chase for treasure; after all, how much could one man spend in a lifetime?

    But Arik, he was as relentless as time itself, always diving headfirst into the next dungeon. If Baldor didn''t hold Arik in brotherly esteem, he would have retired from dungeon delving a long time ago..

    Arik pushed forward, following the steep incline of the dungeon floor. The scraping noise that followed sent shivers up Baldor''s spine, but Arik remained unimpressed. "So far, the dungeon''s defenders have been disappointingly weak." He boasted, thumping his chest plate with a clang. "My armor''s as unblemished as the day we entered."

    The scraping noise intensified. A chill swept over Baldor, fueled by the certainty that the minion they were about to face had very sharp claws.

    Arik glanced back at Baldor, the tension in his jaw betraying his concern. "Stay close and keep your eyes peeled."

    A deep breath filled Baldor''s lungs with a stench that made his eyes water.

    Arik, acting like he was strolling through a rose garden, led the way into the next chamber. What greeted them was a sight from a lunatic''s fever dream. A hunched beast, all eyes and limbs, hissed and twitched like a rattlesnake warning of death.

    Baldor''s brow knitted in confusion. The thing was an unholy mix of ghost crab and spider, hairy tufts spiking from its shell. He extended his senses, invoking Arcane Eye to identify the dungeon core¡¯s champion, but all he saw was:

    [???]

    "Another of your so-called blood parasites?" Baldor muttered.

    Arik shrugged. He hefted his hammer, a glint of battle in his eyes.

    Baldor''s hands glowed with mana. "Whatever the hell that thing is, it''s best to fell it from a distance." Baldor nodded toward its maw oozing with black mucus. Fat droplets sizzled as they hit the dungeon floor.

    Arik, it seemed, had other ideas.

    He sped forward, his armor clanking with each step. Activating his Earthbreaker skill Arik feinted, then spun, his hammer arcing through the air to crash into the creature''s shell.

    The monster reeled back, spitting venom, then skittered unnaturally to dodge another deadly blow. Arik was relentless, sweeping its legs from under it, leaving it flipped and flailing, leaking black blood that added a new layer of foul to the air.

    ¡°Finish it and be quick." Arik alert, scanned the dark recesses of the cavern ahead.

    It didn''t take Baldor long to finish what Arik had started, cracking open the monster and relieving it of its legs and revealing its mana core. He sighed in sweet relief as the inhuman screeching finally stopped. The sound of loot hitting the dungeon floor made Baldor frown because Arik ignored it.

    Arik never ignored loot.

    The reason why, soon became clear.

    Arik¡¯s focus was elsewhere, as he cleaned his hammer of the sticky black tar. Baldor, following suit, wiped his blade clean. In silence, they moved forward; idle chatter had no place here.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Ahead, a vast chamber awaited, revealed through a narrow passageway. Baldor''s eyes widened in awe at its sheer size, stretching a hundred feet in every direction.

    "Should we summon the other men?" Baldor kept his voice steady, hiding his concern.

    Arik arched his brow. "And spoil the fun?" His grin was all teeth as if he was holding something back.

    Baldor sensed his brother was looking for something besides the dungeon core. Something of ground-shaking importance that he didn¡¯t trust anyone else to join him but his sworn brother, Baldor.

    What the hell could it be?

    As soon as their boots hit the stone floor, Baldor got his answer.

    The floor beneath them shook, as if in fear.

    A massive figure rose up before them. A giant worm made of stone with glowing blue eyes, big as rock pools. It had been there all along, hidden in the hollow of the dungeon floor. By the knowing look on Arik''s face, in stark contrast to his own, he¡¯d found exactly what he¡¯d been looking for.

    Baldor''s mind reeled with ancient tales of elemental titans, those colossal beings said to dwell in the ocean''s abyss, beneath fiery volcanoes, and within the earth''s darkest caverns.

    Legends spoke of their age, surpassing even the oldest mountains, perhaps as ancient as time itself. As this truth dawned on him, a chill akin to the pale, cold light of a winter moon crept over his skin. This quest was not for gold or gems.

    Arik hungered for something far more elusive and dangerous.

    Immortality.

    It would be Arik¡¯s for the taking once he claimed the Titan¡¯s Core.

    Dread gnawed at Baldor.

    His clan believed immortality came at a cost. It was nothing more than a curse in disguise. Part of him wanted to speak up, tell Arik it was a bad idea. But he kept quiet. Arik might not be his commander anymore, but their history held him back. Deep down, Baldor feared they were chasing something that would cost them their souls.

    Despite his lack of experience, Baldor knew a water Titan when he saw one. Arik closed in, hand steady, and only then did Baldor realize he was trembling.

    "We should flee, brother." Taking a step back, Baldor pleaded, fixing Arik with desperate eyes. "It''s madness to face such a creature, just the two of us." He urged, sword raised and mana coursing through it, tugging at Arik''s armored sleeve with his free hand. "While we still can..."

    Arik''s tone was as blunt as his hammer. "We''re not going anywhere." He broke free from Baldor''s grip. Arik spoke with a confidence born of one who had already assessed the situation. "It''s a water Titan, no match for your mana shield and counter strikes. I won¡¯t turn away from this fight." He strode forward and called out in a mocking tone. "I¡¯m here to turn your eternal reign into eternal slumber."

    The Titan bellowed, shaking the chamber, water droplets seeping through the cracked foundations. "You are nothing but an insignificant and bothersome ant. Leave while you still can. You may defeat the dungeon core, but you cannot defeat a being as long-lived as I."

    Arik''s laughter echoed through the chamber, hammer in hand, gleaming in the ghostly light of the salt crystal chamber. "Small, maybe, but mighty." He grunted, war hammer swinging as he advanced on the lurking menace. "I¡¯ll leave once I''ve claimed your core and the title of Immortal Titan Slayer."

    Embracing the call of battle, Arik activated Earth Smash. He grinned as if relishing the raw power of his hammer and the added protection of Baldor¡¯s mana shield.

    The Titan lunged, a serpent wrought of stone and rage, its barbed tail a blur, aiming to cut Arik''s bravado short.

    But Arik''s grin turned feral. He ducked into a forward slide, helmet skimming the stone, tailwind singing overhead. As the tail crashed down, he leapt aside, Baldor¡¯s mana infused spell doubling the damage dealt by his brother''s next blow.

    Arik''s hammer radiated a furious red, smashing into the titan with force enough to shake the earth. The titan recoiled, roaring as blue blood gushed from its underside, baring bone through torn scales.

    The blood pooling beneath the titan congealed. If given enough time would it take the form of a blood parasite? Baldor pushed that thought aside in favor of the bigger more immediate threat they faced.

    The titan feigned retreat, then whipped around, tail slamming down, but Baldor was ready, his training kicking in.

    Timing was crucial.

    Mana shield tight, Baldor rolled beneath the thrashing tail, his enhanced blade slicing clean through the barbed spike. It fell and rolled like a boulder, and the titan''s cry shook the chamber''s bones.

    Arik¡¯s eyes shone with wild glee, a man reborn in the heat of battle. Baldor felt it too, the rush of their past glories surging through him. This was life at its sharpest edge, where it could all end in a heartbeat.

    "Come on, Titan." Arik taunted, gripping his hammer. "Show us if you''re more than just a legend."

    Baldor¡¯s mind cleared, his focus narrowing to the fight. The titan, undeterred, snapped at him, only to meet the barrier of mana. Arik¡¯s smirk suggested the beast was too easy a foe.

    Then, the titan¡¯s maw glowed an ominous blue, a deep spell forming, ancient and terrible. Baldor knew the danger, Arik was blind to the titan''s power dwarfing their own.

    "Down, Arik!" He shouted, diving clear as a beam of blue energy erupted from the titan. The blast shook the dungeon, stone raining down.

    When the dust settled, Baldor''s heart broke. Arik lay in pieces, his body frozen and shattered by the titan''s icy assault. His hammer and breastplate were all that remained intact. Relics of a fallen warrior.

    A cry tore from Baldor''s throat, grief and rage warring within.

    Then, the titan reared again, scales alight with that terrible blue. Baldor faced it, fear clawing at him, but he stood his ground. Seizing Arik''s hammer, he charged, mana igniting his vengeance. He dodged the creature¡¯s fangs, casting Zephyr Surge he leapt high, and brought the hammer down upon the titan''s skull with all the fury of a storm.

    The monster howled as the hammer found its mark, fueling his relentless assault. The titan, struggling to right itself, loomed over Baldor, its massive head casting a shadow of impending doom. It unleashed an icy breath, blue light coursing along its neck like a prelude to death.

    Baldor, driven by survival, cast Storm Smash and swung the hammer upward, connecting with the titan''s jaw. The impact shattered the stony plates, sending fragments spinning into the dark. Dodging a last-ditch strike, Baldor threw himself aside, using the hammer''s momentum to evade the killing blow.

    His heart thundered in his chest, knowing the next beat could be his last. He swung back to face the titan. The hammer, ablaze with mana, struck true, a crimson force radiating outward. The titan''s serpentine body slackened, its bloody remains decorating the cavern walls.

    But Baldor''s victory was hollow, overshadowed by the memory of Arik''s warning: Titans were known to feign death, harboring parasites within. He couldn''t let up. With vengeance as his fuel, he pummeled the monster, standing knee-deep in a morass of gore. His breaths were ragged, his body a conduit of both power and despair.

    He stood for a moment, hollow, remembering to claim the Titan''s core. Arik, the only man he''d ever trusted with his life, was gone.

    And it was his fault.

    Baldor had been too slow to warn him, too wrapped up in his own doubt and fears, and now Arik was dead.

    In a final tribute to his fallen brother, he aimed to destroy the wretched core.

    Immortality was an illusion.

    He raised his fallen brother¡¯s hammer.

    The blow echoed, a sound akin to the cracking of a colossal egg, and though it sickened him, it also brought a bitter form of release.

    "A life for a life." His words, a solemn promise, strained between clenched jaws. Despite the fury of his hammer blows, one after another, the titan''s core stood defiant, unmarred by further cracks.

    Baldor¡¯s fury had no direction now, his brother¡¯s hammer discarded. It would take a thousand strikes to shatter the titan''s core; his first blow had barely made a dent. He hammered at it with his fist, frustration boiling over, until a piercing pain halted him.

    The titan¡¯s faded blue blood blended with the bright red of his cracked knuckles. Smearing it with his palm, the blue blood seemed alive as it swirled, leaching its way into his thin wounds. He cried out as the titan¡¯s parasitic leech burrowed deeper, a frigid sensation spreading through his veins.

    Flushing his hands with Liquid Healing, the cracks of his skin sealed shut, but the coolness prickled deeper through his muscles. Grasping his forearm, his attempt to stop the slithering failed as the icy parasitic venom leached into his channels, burying itself deep into his mana core.

    Time passed in a pain-filled haze.

    Baldor sighed with relief as soon as his senses returned. His lip curled in disgust as the titan core absorbed the crimson red splashes as if mocking him with a blood pact. He slammed his hands down. He¡¯d take the immortal titan core and find a way to destroy it for good.

 Chapter 1: Jokes on You

    Joe''s gaming chair creaked like old bones as he shot forward with a lopsided grin on his face. "This is it guys, the moment we''ve all been waiting for..."

    Finally, all those hours grinding through levels in Isekai Cultivator: Immortal Realms were about to pay off. They were ready to delve into the dungeon at the base of Immortal Mountain.

    ¡°Today''s going to be a great day, I can feel it.¡±

    A pop-up flashed on his screen. His AI Butler sent him a notification from his bank. Choosing to ignore it, he flicked it away with his mouse not wanting it to sour his good mood.

    The familiar squirrely voice crossed over the comms. "Did you hear the one about the goddess who got truck-kun¡¯d?"

    He shook his head, watching every movement on the screen. ¡°Quit goofing off, Kyle...even gods can die in this game...everyone needs to stay sharp."

    He winced as a deep-set voice thundered in his ears. "I vote we take a break." His college friend Tao had always been one to crash at his place before Joe had gotten more serious with ditching the bachelor pad at his girlfriend¡¯s request.

    Joe sighed. "Ah come on man, we made it this far, just one more hour."

    Tao¡¯s deep-set voice boomed back. ¡°Nah man! We''ve work in a few hours. You''re braver than me if you can face the wrath of Mike for eight hours straight while sleep deprived."

    "Junior, you dare?" Kyle, first to respond over the clicking of his gaming keyboard.

    Laughter filled the comms. This was Joe''s favorite place to be¡ªfar from the pile of bills and the ghost of a relationship gone south.

    He grabbed another seaweed snack, careful not to rustle the packet. Kyle¡¯s hearing was so good he could hear a mouse fart a mile away.

    "I don''t know how you can eat so much of that stuff." Kyle¡¯s healer stopped in front of a long passage.

    Joe shrugged, though no one could see him except his AI Butler, the only thing he managed to build nearly free of cost from broken returns found in the hardware store. "My crappy salary barely covers the rent on this ''cozy'' apartment. Butler is thrifty, bought a ton of it online at a discount¡ªcheaper than ramen."

    Kyle¡¯s clacking stopped. "I''m telling you man, make Samantha cover some rent, she''s practically moved in."

    "Now that''s funny!¡± Tao¡¯s laughter boomed through the headset. ¡°She''s tighter than a camel''s hole in a sandstorm."

    Joe¡¯s shoulders sagged. "She left..."

    Silence.

    Kyle drummed his fingers across his keyboard. "Okay thirty more minutes, and then I''m punching off the clock."

    There they stood ready to enter the dungeon and complete the Immortal Mountain Divine Quest. Joe¡¯s mouth went dry. He licked his salty lips.

    Everything in him crackled and hummed above the restless city outside.

    Joe crushed his salted seaweed wrapper in his hand and tossed it in the bin.

    Kyle cleared his throat. ¡°Before we get all serious I never finished my joke. Did you hear the one about the goddess who got truck-kun¡¯d?¡±

    A knock at the door jolted Joe forward in his chair.

    Damn!

    Prank pizza order? It wouldn¡¯t be the first time.

    The knock came again, louder this time. ¡°Joe Grant. Please open the door¡­¡±

    That did not sound good.

    Hey, Joe typed in the chat. I¡¯m going mobile. Kyle you lead the way, and Tao keep an eye out for ogres.

    Joe paused the game and switched to his cell before he stood, a knot forming in his stomach. He lurched toward the door and peered through the peephole, his heart skipping a beat.

    Two figures stood outside, stern and official, dressed in black suits.

    ¡°Why the hell''s Mulder and Scully looking for me?¡±

    Butler: Perhaps they are wondering where all the money in your bank came from? I can explain it to them if you like.

    Joe checked the notification he''d ignored earlier.

    His eyes widened. There were too many zeros going in the wrong direction. ¡°Butler!¡± His conversation with his AI only days earlier about pulling in money from the monopoly of Mattress Mick stores around the block must have been misinterpreted to solve his debt problems.

    ¡°We¡¯re coming in!¡± A quick bang against the door resonated like a steel-toed boot kicking the wood. The door frame shuddered and sent his heart racing.

    "Game over." Joe whispered, a wry smile fading as he backed away from the door and grabbed his hoodie.

    As another set of loud thuds slammed against the door, he ran to the small second story balcony. With a surge of adrenaline, he slid his sneakers down the sides of the fire escape, landing with a quick thud.

    Yelling followed from above as he sprinted into the alleyway and turned, bumping into the pedestrians in the crosswalk. At the last minute he leapt out of the way of a cyclist.

    Breathless, he slowed behind a group of older ladies window shopping the antique storefronts. The displays showcased an array of intriguing artifacts and glassware.

    Distant shouts shifted his gaze over his shoulder. He needed a hideout. Nodding a quick apology, he ducked underneath a pointed finger and grabbed the metal handle. ¡°Excuse me, ladies.¡±

    He dismissed their gasps as the door swished open, accompanied by the gentle jingle of bells. Blinking, Joe took a moment to readjust his vision to the dim overhead lights. A sweet aroma of incense filtered through the packed air, barely overshadowing the musty collection of dust layered thick on copper kettles.

    A woman dressed in a white nightgown and thick rollers covering her black hair eyed him as he stepped further inside, the end of a long cigarette dangling from her downturned mouth. She turned, speaking what sounded like Cantonese as a thin man stood from a chair.

    Joe flashed him a smile as the shopkeeper grunted and gestured to the back.

    His wife grabbed the rolled newspaper from the counter, and the old man flinched. ¡°It¡¯s your turn to deal with the snot-nosed punk.¡± She exhaled, a trail of smoke filtering into the old man¡¯s face.

    The old man¡¯s eyes flickered with displeasure as he wafted the lingering cigarette smoke away.

    Keeping his distance, Joe¡¯s eyes widened as he swore he saw the light gray puff slither into the shape of a dragon before disappearing.

    Shuffling his feet, the old man¡¯s long beard trailed along the counter. ¡°You come here in search of something special?¡±

    Joe scratched the back of his head before raising his hood. ¡°Just browsing.¡±

    ¡°People don''t come here to browse. They come here to buy, buy something that you''ve been missing from your life.¡± The old man smirked.

    Joe had been missing a lot from his life. He walked over to a bookcase in the far aisle, giving him a slight view outside from the dark-tinted windows. Glancing at his phone, his shoulders tensed¡ªbad reception.

    The old man released a long, drawn-out chuckle. ¡°You might find something useful there if you actually open a book.¡± His eyes twinkled underneath the dim light.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Shadows ran by the windows, and Joe side-stepped behind the bookcase. He winced as he bumped into a display wall of antiques, their rattling indicating their fragility. Turning, he palmed the edge of a plate from falling, but it shifted every other object to the further end.

    In an instant, the old man¡¯s hand appeared, catching the teapot. ¡°Be careful, junior.¡± He placed the antique pot into an empty slot.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long morning already.¡± Joe grabbed a cloth-bound book, its rough texture similar to dirt-filled burlap. ¡°A Titan¡¯s Core.¡±

    The old man stroked his beard. ¡°If you wish to rest and look over before you buy, there is seating near the back.¡± He gestured down the aisle.

    Joe chewed his cheek as he glanced back through the windows. He didn¡¯t know how long the authorities would be searching the area, but there would be no way he¡¯d risk stepping out front into the open.

    Nodding, he tucked the book under his arm and squeezed past a few more delicate display cabinets.

    ¡°What?¡± He scoffed, glancing at the scratched cushion that had more burn holes than thread to keep it together. Shaking his head, he peered through a cracked door. Storage with space to walk and empty crates.

    Settling into the back, Joe''s eyes caught the slow movement of a plastic paw from one of those lucky cats he''d seen grace the entrances of many restaurants in the south side of town. It clicked with each movement like it was hung up on a broken piece. He raised a brow, causing a drop of sweat to trail down the corner of his eye. He couldn''t have picked a more cramped, humid store for a hideout.

    The book¡¯s spine cracked as he opened it to the first page, attempting to bypass the time without adequate satellite connection.

    Even the gods can die.

    Joe chuckled at the irony, glancing at his phone¡ªstill only one bar fading in and out of existence. The chat from Kyle and Tao showed the three blinking dots like Kyle was still typing the answer to a long-winded joke.

    He sighed and swiped to form his own words in the chat, the subtle vibrations from his haptic keyboard providing him a sense of hope he¡¯d reach one of his gaming buds. If his fingers weren''t so thick, he would have punched his message with the tiny keys to prolong the distraction he needed from his thoughts.

    Eh, what''s the punchline?

    He waited, his message delayed in sending across his ghost IP in the back of the little shop. Squatting on an empty black crate, sturdy enough to hold his weight, he grimaced. Worse than a clock, the plastic cat¡¯s wide eyes stared at him from the corner shelf.

    He glanced back at the book and continued reading A Titan¡¯s Core to drown out the endless clicking of the cat¡¯s paw.

    ¡­Time passed in a pain-filled haze.

    Baldor sighed with relief as soon as his senses returned. His lip curled in disgust as the titan core absorbed the crimson red splashes as if mocking him with a blood pact. He slammed his hands down. He¡¯d take the immortal titan core and find a way to destroy it for good.

    Reaching the last page of the chapter, Joe hung on to Baldor''s warring emotions of fear and courage like it was his own. Closing the book, he let his hands linger over the title''s faded gold lettering. The scent and texture of the old pages brought back warm memories of his granddad''s library.

    Joe¡¯s eyes roamed down the cover to a curious metal engraved symbol beneath the title. He took a closer look. It reminded him of Ouroboros. This version had a dragon eating its tail to symbolize the eternal cycle of death and rebirth.

    He frowned.

    No.

    Not a dragon, more like a legendary Kaiju, like King Ghidorah but with only one head visible.

    His thumb swept over its metal contours.

    It was cool to the touch.

    Now Joe was really curious. He loved reading, and this story had really caught his interest. He wondered how much time had slipped by¡ªmaybe half an hour, perhaps a bit more.

    Time to move on before he wore out his welcome.

    Joe meandered to the front of the shop, lingering long enough for the old man to return his attention from bickering with his wife. He peeked through the tinted window.

    Things seemed calm outside.

    The old man stroked his long gray beard, looking like a 70s kung fu master. "You know, some reckon too much knowledge is a curse."

    His wife, barely glancing up from her rag of a newspaper, shot back with a raspy, biting tone. ¡°Bullshit! It¡¯s immortality that''s the real curse.¡±

    His eyes, dark and piercing, snapped towards her with a predator¡¯s swiftness. ¡°And what''s got you thinking that?¡± His lips puckered as he hissed under his breath, ¡°you auld bat!¡±

    Joe bit back a smile, gripping his book tighter. For all their harsh words, there was a strange warmth in the old man''s voice.

    "Because living forever with you," she retorted, snapping her paper with a crack, "feels like an endless damnation." Then she vanished behind the newsprint.

    The old man nodded. ¡°My books always find their right owner.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­I hope it doesn¡¯t cost an arm and a leg.¡± He tapped the counter with his card, hesitant to use stolen cash, but more than eager to leave the stifling shop.

    The wrinkled hand of the old man gestured in front of him. ¡°Your money''s no good here. Take it, and you¡¯ll owe me a favor.¡±

    No matter how little money Joe had, he always insisted on paying his own way, but now wasn¡¯t the time to argue. He made a mental note to keep it as an IOU, nodding his thanks.

    Outside, his thoughts seemed to scatter on the light breeze?, tossing his hair across his eyes. Sweeping it away, he looked in all directions as his hand found his cell.

    Focus. Where do I go next?

    Glancing at his phone, he grinned, happy to see the bars spring back to life on the screen. He couldn¡¯t go back to his apartment. But maybe he could crash at Kyle¡¯s or Tao¡¯s; they were always there for him when times were tough. It seemed to happen more, the older he got.

    A message from Kyle popped on the screen as the signal went to full bars.

    Checking that nobody had eyes on him, Joe looked at the joke.

    "Did you hear the one about the truck-kun¡¯d Goddess?"

    Joe read the punchline and groaned.

    "Immortality ends at the crosswalk."

    Good old Kyle, always able to raise his spirits even in the darkest times. Plus, wasn¡¯t Kyle¡¯s uncle a lawyer? If Mulder and Scully were still looking for him, he might just need one.

    A yell from further down the street jolted him from his thoughts. He looked up and froze, blood turning to ice.

    Mulder and Scully darted through the crowds, their black coat tails billowing like bats'' wings.

    They were closing in fast.

    Instincts in overdrive, Joe darted into the crosswalk, clutching the book tight to his chest. The metal emblem on the front seemed to pulse with an icy chill that went through the layers of clothes... strange.

    But Joe didn¡¯t have time to wonder why. An angry horn blared. He took a step back as the metal grill of a large truck filled his vision. Lights flashed in warning, growing larger like twin blazing stars.

    Eyes blinking, Joe raised a hand to shield himself. His frayed nerves heightened every sensation.

    A pinprick of silence.

    A sickening crunch.

    He sensed it all in the blinding glare of the truck''s lights that bled everything to white.

    As soon as the metal grill smashed into him, hot pain pierced his sternum as the emblem embedded itself into him.

    The white light ebbed, only to be replaced by a pulsing blue glow radiating from his chest. Everything appeared in slow motion. The trickling sensation of blood from open wounds seemed to go in reverse as if the blue light absorbed everything, growing brighter.

    It came as a shock that he could sense everything, yet feel nothing.

    No pain.

    Suddenly he was hovering above his body, limbs skewed in directions they weren¡¯t supposed to go. Staring down at his shattered remains, he almost let out a laugh. The book was still intact, surrounded by a strange glowing light.

    A dim sense of panic rose from some deep well inside his consciousness. It spread through his mind, so drawn to the blue light. With no physical body to connect to, the stranger the sensation became.

    The draw he felt towards the book grew stronger until its glowing light formed a tether snaking around him, pulling him in. He tried to resist, panic tightening its hold on his formless presence. He didn¡¯t want to be sucked inside a book, trapped for eternity.

    The old woman¡¯s voice crackled in his mind.

    "Immortality is a curse."

    If whatever shred of his spirit was left, became trapped in the pages of the book, it would be a curse. His mind scrambled to recall the story as the glowing blue flame absorbed his blood. The warrior Baldor, cursed with immortality while his friend, who craved it, perished before his eyes.

    The title swam before his eyes, part memory, part something else.

    A Titan''s Core.

    As the glowing blue light absorbed him, he resisted with everything he had. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to die. My sister¡­ she¡¯ll..."

    The flame faded along with his senses.

    Is this what it feels like to die?

    Teetering on the edge of oblivion, Joe almost laughed again at the absurdity.

    Words scrolled across his vision, framed in blue. Out of focus, the letters looked like a pattern of empty spaces formed by lines.

    Is this the start of my life flashing before my eyes?

    But why some old-school gaming blue box? What a way to ¡®near death¡¯ hallucinate. Joe hadn¡¯t seen one of those boxes since he was a kid and his Granddad let him watch while he played those retro game simulators.

    Was it his brain¡¯s way of sending him to his happy place as it died? Not a big surprise, he was much happier back when his Granddad was alive.

    "Go to Your Happy Place, Joe."

    But instead of oblivion, the blue box remained. Mentally frowning, Joe focused on the words.

    [Would you laugh in the face of death and choose immortality? Yes/no?]

    The words blinked as if in challenge to him.

    No matter where he looked the box and those blinking words followed his gaze. No physical eyes to close, just those blinking words. If it was a hallucination and his sanity was gone, what difference would it make what he chose?

    A prickling sense of unease needled at him.

    What if I¡¯m not stuck in some near death fever dream?

    If there was a small chance he could hold onto the memories of those he loved a little longer, a shred of possibility that what he was seeing was real.

    He reached out with his mind.

    Yes.

    The blue light glowed stronger, a mocking voice accompanying it. ¡°Good luck, chump, you¡¯ll need it.¡±

 Chapter 2: Lifes Loot

    Joe drifted in an endless sea of blue fire. Time seemed to stretch, fears gnawed at him. He feared that his first instincts were right. Somehow, had his spirit been trapped in the pages of that book, A Titan''s Core?

    But as the endless flames swirled around and through him, they gave way to depressing thoughts. In his current form, or essence, or whatever the hell he was, Joe felt light and floated like a breeze, yet the weight of his death, the fact he''d never see his family and friends again, clung to him.

    Joe sensed the comforting warmth of the blue light trying to ease those sad thoughts, but there was a gaping hole where his heart should have been, of the loss which could never be filled. His thoughts turned to his sister, their childhood together, and the gut-punch of realizing just how ill she really was.

    Fierce protectiveness swelled in him, just like the very first time he¡¯d discovered that awful truth. Her smiling face always brought him happiness.

    But even when she was in pain, she smiled.

    Joe couldn¡¯t break away from those thoughts, no matter how soothing the warm blue light was blowing around and through him.

    Soon, time lost its meaning. The faces of family and friends began to blur. The dread of an eternal cursed life ebbed, replaced by a strange feeling that somehow everything would be okay.

    That sense of peace shattered once his awareness caught a faint mumbling. His entire being became alert. He strained his senses to pick up any clue of the mutterings. It was like eavesdropping through a wall.

    It didn¡¯t stop him from trying to understand what the voice was saying. He focused his attention on the sound, but as he did so, he noticed it came from a dark blue dot at the center of his vision.

    No matter which way he moved, the blue dot remained. Not only that, it grew larger while the swirling blue sea of flames receded. It was then that he realized, to his horror, he was rushing towards the blue speck.

    A dark tunnel to an unknown realm.

    Fear gripped him, his consciousness flickered under an unseen force, trying to tear him apart. Joe did everything he could to suppress his fears, straining to stay alert and connected to who he was. That way, he hoped he¡¯d hold on to the memory of his sister and everyone he loved. A moment of silence followed, like the one between the truck impact and his last dying breath.

    Darkness wrapped around him, robbing him of his senses, of everything but his memories. Joe pictured her, placing all the treasured memories he had, safe in a heart-shaped box in his mind, untouchable to all forces, even those belonging to a god.

    ***

    The darkness lifted from a black tunnel to muted grays, and then cleared, before finally unveiling his new surroundings. Joe, with a head as heavy as a ten-ton brick, needed a minute to soak it all in. Then, like a jackhammer to the chest, it hit him¡ªthe realization that he was back in the meat wagon, wrapped in flesh and bone.

    ¡°Have a nice nap, chump?¡± A blue flame flickered to life in his mind.

    Shock wired his senses, sending his pulse racing. He knew that voice. It was the last voice he heard before he¡¯d died.

    As his shock eased, Joe had the urge to challenge the arrogant prick. Who the hell are you calling a chump? He yelled at the flame in his mind.

    ¡°Why you, of course. You have no idea what you were saying yes to and now you are stuck here. Unfortunately, so am I. It¡¯s beyond exhausting, so for now I¡¯m going to sit back and enjoy the show.¡±

    The blue flame flickered before fading away.

    Show? What show? Joe bet the pompous flame creature, or whatever the hell it was, loved being all metaphorical and dramatic.

    Hey come back!

    Silence.

    Just great! What if he hallucinated the whole thing? After everything he¡¯d been through, losing his marbles was the least of his worries. Joe pushed that thought aside and turned his attention back to his surroundings.

    At first his vision blurred under heavy, blinking eyes. It was a simple task to open his eyes, but it felt like he was lifting heavy shutters each time. For now, all he had was an awareness of his body. He couldn¡¯t move it. He focused all his thoughts on trying to move. Finally, using all the huff and puff he had in him, Joe tilted his head to the side.

    Fear gave way to curiosity as he tried to take in his new surroundings through bleary eyes. His head was cooperating.

    A small victory.

    If he focused again, it would only be a matter of time before the rest of his body did the same. He tried moving his limbs, and relief flooded into him as they obeyed, although jerky and sporadic, like a puppet on strings.

    ¡°Rome wasn¡¯t built in a day. Or so I heard.¡± A raspy voice echoed. ¡°Isn''t it a popular saying from your world? Something you should heed.¡±

    Joe froze at the sound of the rasping voice.

    He tried to speak, but words were beyond him. He tried harder, every part of him straining to sit up and take in his surroundings. But his body refused to fully cooperate.

    ¡°Stop flapping like a dying fish; you¡¯ll injure yourself.¡± Whoever spoke seemed cock sure of himself and his voice held a weight of authority.

    Joe stopped moving.

    His eyes darted about, trying to locate the source of the voice, but no figure appeared in his vision. Taking a calming breath, he steadied his gaze until the mist lifted from them. Everywhere he looked, there were walls that pulsed as if they were alive.

    Squinting, he honed in on the ceiling, which was a web of shiny tubules the color of old blood. They throbbed with life, holding up the roof that looked like it was stitched together from dragon scales.

    As his senses returned, sharpening his vision, what he saw fed his curiosity about his strange new surroundings. Part of him wished he could reach out and touch the rippling walls and he wanted to get a better look at the strange units embedded into them. The units were like computer consoles from some retro, space-age game.

    ¡°I can¡¯t take you seriously with that vacant look on your face.¡± The voice rasped, louder than before. ¡°Time is more precious than gold here, and I don¡¯t waste it on morons. Close your mouth, open your eyes, and listen very carefully.¡± The razor edge in his tone told Joe it was best to comply.

    ¡°That¡¯s better. I¡¯m a very busy person; the last thing I need is to regret wasting mana bringing you here. Now, welcome to the induction room. You won¡¯t be here long, but you¡¯ll do well to make every second count!¡±

    Everything happening¡ªthe pulsating room, the return of his senses, and the commanding voice¡ªchilled Joe to his core.

    "Wad du meem, I won''t be ''ere looong?" Joe''s words sloshed out of his mouth like a drunken sailor, his tongue and lips staging a clumsy mutiny against coherence.

    ¡°You will address me as ''My Lord, Darkness Everlasting.'' Feel free to embellish, but something along those lines would suffice. And no questions. Speak when spoken to, and enunciate your words, capisce?¡±

    Joe shook his head. Who was this wise guy?

    He was soon sorry he asked.

    A colossal screen flickered to life, unveiling a stomach-churning skeletal figure. Joe gulped.

    Thank the stars my belly''s empty.

    A quick glance southward revealed he was rocking nothing but tighty-whities.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    What the hell?

    His mind was a hive of questions, each one more bizarre than the last. Whose body was this?

    A bone-chilling notion slithered through him, straight out of those Isekai tales he''d read by the dozen. What happened to the poor soul who used to be in charge of this flesh-mobile?

    A stream of answers swirled in his mind. None of them brought any comfort.

    ¡°You look rather pale. I can fix that.¡±

    A rush of warmth flooded his new body, bringing with it a feeling of strength.

    With the warmth came an ease of movement as the grogginess that had plagued him went away.

    ¡°I think you¡¯ve had enough time to adjust to your marvelous new body. You can thank me by promptly getting up off that gurney and following my instructions.¡±

    Now that Joe could see clearly, looking at the screen, he could make out the skeletal form of the voice addressing him in sharp detail. If a Romero zombie and Skeletor had a baby who grew up and joined a death metal band, this guy would be the result.

    Joe was surprised by the coolness when his hands clutched the edge of what he was lying on. Slowly, he raised his head, his eyes widening at the sheer size of the room.

    An induction room, that¡¯s what that Skeletor creep had called it, hadn¡¯t he? If that was the case, what the hell was he being inducted into, dressed only in white undies?

    That thought prompted him to sit up; he jerked forward, pumping his knees to his chest, with a painful crack.

    A sigh of exasperation echoed from the screen, but Joe focused on getting his new body off this damn cold gurney and into a standing position.

    Swinging his legs over the side, he slid off, planting both feet on the ground. He jolted in surprise as it rippled under his soles and was surprisingly warm. Looking down, it looked much like the ceiling, shimmering with dragon scales. These were multicolored and pulsed with a strange blue glow.

    In the moment of silence that followed, he swore he could hear a distant drumbeat, like the lub-dub of a heart.

    As he moved his hands up to touch his face¡ªhands he didn¡¯t recognize¡ªthat distant sound was replaced by the hammering of his heart. The contours of his face felt different.

    It shouldn¡¯t have come as a surprise; logically, he knew he was in another body, but a part of him was slow to take that in. A sudden urgency to find a mirror came over him. If he saw what he looked like, he could deal with that and get over the shock.

    Pulling his hands away from his face, his eyes turned back to the screen. Knowing more about his captor would help him learn more about himself. Could he risk asking a question?

    ¡°I could tell by the puzzled look on your face, it finally dawned on you you¡¯re not in Kansas anymore. Kindly move to the table over there. There¡¯s fresh clothing; put it on.¡±

    Joe straightened. He had learned a thing or two about bullies over the years. If he crumbled at this early stage, he might as well put a ''kick me'' sticker on his back. He crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯m not moving until you tell me who you are, whose body this is, and where the heck I am.¡± He raised his chin and stared with defiance at the screen, hairs raising on the back of his neck, knowing the risk he was taking.

    Skeletor clucked his ragged tongue; it snaked out, all mottled and yellow-gray, like an eel from a deep-sea vent.

    ¡°You will address me as ''My Lord,'' and if you don¡¯t move your bony little human buttocks, I will slice them off along with that joystick in your pants. And that won¡¯t be the only thing I confiscate. You see that steel tray beside the neatly pressed clothes I want you to put on?¡±

    Joe¡¯s mouth pressed into a thin line, hands clenched by his side as he begrudgingly followed his gaze.

    There, by the bundle of clothes, which looked like a gray sweater of some sort, was a metal tray. His eyes bulged, his feet stumbling as he raced towards it, heart pounding with the heavy thuds of his feet. He fell forward, gripping onto the table with the tray on top, and held on like it was a life raft.

    He pulled himself upright, eyes leveling on the contents of the tray. His breath caught; eyes blinking, he gripped the edges of the table tighter, afraid to touch the items there in case they disappeared in a puff.

    A cackling laugh echoed from Skeletor. ¡°How amusing, I made the right decision in bringing you here. No matter the outcome, at least I won¡¯t wither away from boredom. As a reward for making me laugh, you may ask a question.¡±

    Joe focused on the tray. Every single item there had been on him when he died: a family-size pack of seaweed, his wallet, his phone, and last but certainly not least, that book, A Titan''s Core.

    There was only one question he needed the answer to.

    ¡°How did you¡­¡± His mouth suddenly dry, he licked his lips and swallowed hard. ¡°How did you bring those items here, wherever ''here'' is?¡± He snuck in the last part, hoping it might draw a two-part answer.

    Skeletor leaned forward, his background a blur until his face took up the entire screen. His eyes were like dying stars, looking to suck him right in.

    ¡°I was hoping you would ask that.¡± He shifted back, revealing a bony hand. Each decrepit finger tapping his chin clinked like tea cups made of fine bone china. ¡°Not to humble brag, but as a Lich Master, looting dead bodies is one of my specialties. Surely you know about such things; there are games in your world where you kill monsters, loot their cores, and the numbers go up. I like to borrow ideas from all the worlds I¡¯ve observed¡ªI find it rather amusing. You better live up to the high expectations I have of you. I detest boredom, and I¡¯m sure you could understand that, for being as long-lived as I am, it can be quite a challenge to find new things to keep me entertained.¡±

    Joe gritted his teeth; no way he¡¯d be a Lich Master''s plaything. But the information he had just been freely provided with gave Joe some ammunition. He looked up at the wall facing him, seeing a dark screen not unlike a PC monitor back home. He didn¡¯t agree with the old man back in the shop that knowledge was a curse. Knowledge was power, and Joe would use every bit of knowledge he had to strip this Skeletor Metal Head of all the power he had.

    He opened his mouth, but the Lich Master waved him off. ¡°You asked your question; I answered it. Now let¡¯s move on. Get yourself dressed and pick one item.¡± Joe¡¯s eyes shifted to A Titan''s Core and the bulky packet of seaweed.

    ¡°Before you get any notions, the book is there merely to show you it still exists. While it is on your tray of belongings, we both know it doesn¡¯t truly belong to you.¡±

    ¡°But I¡­¡±

    ¡°Close your trap before I permanently close it for you.¡± His voice boomed, shaking Joe to his core.

    There was a deadly power to it; it had a tentacle reach spreading through him, forcing him to do what the Lich Master commanded. Having his will controlled like that made Joe sick to his stomach.

    Staring at the dark screen above the table with the tray and clothes, he saw his darkened reflection. The face staring back at him, wide-eyed, while a stranger looked human, with dark shaggy hair as far as he could tell, of a similar age to himself as when he died, clean-shaven, and his eyes¡­

    His eyes and his features reminded him of his friend Tao. They¡¯d met when Joe was a freshman in college, and Tao joined through a student exchange program from China. Was this body originally from Earth but died here?

    Joe struggled, desperate to join the dots. Liches could reanimate the dead, so why would he summon a new soul into it instead?

    The Lich Master''s rasping voice broke through his thoughts. ¡°That¡¯s better, let¡¯s start again. Get dressed and choose one item.¡±

    This time, Joe didn¡¯t hesitate. He never wanted to feel that loss of control again, those mind tentacles leeching off the little freedom he possessed. He picked up the gray sweater, keeping his eyes on the tray.

    There was a burning itch to pick up the book; it held the interest of the Lich Master, and Joe wanted to know why. He filed it away for later and focused on the other items.

    Not knowing where he was, beyond the induction room, and not being allowed to ask any more questions didn¡¯t help to make an informed decision. Given what he did know, it was unlikely he was anywhere on Earth, or near Earth, meaning his phone would be of little use. Besides, Xcom''s cheap and cheerless service had a crappy network; it barely worked in his hometown¡ªdoubtful it stretched to wherever the hell he was now.

    As for his wallet, if he opened it, butterflies would fly out, just like in those cartoons. He held onto it for sentimental reasons; it kept photos of his sister and granddad, but he didn¡¯t need to look at those because their faces were still etched in his mind.

    That left the family-size packet of seaweed.

    Who knew how scarce food would be here? It was a practical decision and also much more than that.

    He looked away and back to the sweater in his hand. As he shook it out, he realized it was actually a hoodie. At first touch, it felt cotton-soft, but as he rubbed the fabric between his thumb and forefinger, he noticed a strange sheen. He shrugged it off, noticing a white vest. A perfect match for his white undies.

    Who cared for such things?

    He put the hoodie down and put on the vest. It felt warm against his skin. As he pulled on the hoodie, the Lich Master called to him.

    "Have you made your choice? Sure, you can multitask. A skill you''ll need here."

    Pulling back the hood, Joe picked up the next item of clothing, dark gray cargo pants. "I have." A small smile crept onto his lips as he bent down to put on the cargo pants.

    "Well¡­ Spit it out. I haven¡¯t got all day, you know." Eagerness in his voice meant something; Joe just had to figure out what exactly.

    Once the cargo pants were on, he grabbed the boots sitting to the side by the tray. Before putting them on, he looked the Lich in the eye. "I choose the pack of seaweed."

    No response came, and Joe dropped to one knee and put on the boots, tying the laces under the cold, hard stare of the Lich.

    Was he trying to set him on edge? If so, it was working, but damned if he''d let that son of a Lich know.

    Finally, the Lich''s voice shattered the silence. "Interesting choice. Now let''s move on, shall we?" He snapped his bony fingers, the sound like jittering insects made Joe''s skin crawl.

    He nodded, rolling his shoulders back, stretched his limbs, testing out the flexibility and reach of his new clothes. Lightweight and comfortable, that was the start; the boots were a good fit too.

    "So, I''m sure you''re wondering, that curious little mind of yours, why you are in that body. Right now, you are inside a tower that sits at a magical crossroads, if you will. Like ley lines in your world, this is a focal point for mana. I know you have stories littered with that term, but in your version of reality, rather backward if you ask me, you have no mana out there. Therefore your body had no resistance. If I had brought you here before you died, you would¡¯ve lasted mere minutes before dying from mana poisoning.¡± The Lich paused as though he¡¯d maintained a habit for breathing. ¡°The body you are in is classed as a human race, but one who was raised in a magical world, like those cultivation novels I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve read. This body you now inhabit will also adapt better to the environment, tolerate mana, and be able to integrate with the system here."

    Integrate with the system, Joe did not like the sound of that. It must have been written all over his face because the damn Lich Master¡¯s rotting face lit up with amusement.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s over there¡¯s someone I¡¯d like you to meet.¡±

 Chapter 3: Joe Cool

    The Lich Master rubbed his bony hands, the sound going through Joe like nails on a chalkboard. Joe held back a wince and all the questions spinning in his mind about where he was and the body that was his new home. It was a lot to take in.

    "Poppy, we have a new Ascender I¡¯d like you to meet."

    The dark screen above the tray of his personal items blinked to life. A pixelated image took form into what looked like a cross between a bearded dragon and a goat. Its scaled head had comically oversized ram''s horns, and its eyes were like some cute cat plushie like the ones his sister used to love. As soon as those eyes met his, it began whizzing around the screen like a golden retriever with the zoomies and a guinea pig popcorning, all combined into one overactive creature.

    "Hi-hi, Ascender! Poppy here to help-help! Fun times ahead, yip-yip!" She blinked her big eyes, a scaled tail swishing from side to side.

    Joe raised an eyebrow at the enthusiastic welcome, not quite what he¡¯d been expecting. "Hi, Poppy, nice to meet you. I¡¯m Joe."

    The Lich Master sighed and rolled his eyes. "I¡¯m still working out the kinks in her programming. Feel free to ignore her if she gets too much. That¡¯s what I do."

    The avatar on the screen didn¡¯t stop prancing, her eyes locked on Joe. "Poppy sniffs-sniffs new friend! Joe smells like adventures! Ready for adventure?"

    Joe cocked his head to the side, trying to get the measure of the avatar that was now chasing its tail, her colorful form standing out against the darkness of the screen.

    "That all depends on the type of adventure." Joe rubbed the back of his neck to ease the growing tension there.

    "Yip-yip, now Joe here, Poppy shows tower, Poppy shows everything!"

    "Poppy, no!" The Lich Master wagged a finger at the mini kaiju avatar. "We talked about this; you''re programmed to serve me and obey your prime directives."

    The little avatar flinched and came to a sudden halt. Its whip-like tail sagged, and its eyes went wide and sad like a puppy dog''s. "Poppy understand. Poppy here to help-help, shows Joe tower, much wow, so big, only when master says."

    "Yes, Poppy, only when I say so. For now, listen and await further instructions." The Lich Master had the look of a stern parent, one who had been awoken from his crypt and certainly not got enough beauty sleep. By the look of his necrotic flesh, a millennia of sleep wouldn¡¯t fix that.

    "I must apologize for Poppy; there are some trade-offs by using such a simple AI language model. The main benefit, as you can see, is that she is born to serve and is unlikely to stage a mutiny."

    Joe frowned.

    "Don¡¯t look at me like that." The Lich¡¯s eyes, like bottomless pits, narrowed on him. "I know she sounds as smart as a fish but I assure you, she has an impressive ability to gain new knowledge and grow, just like those neural networks back on Earth, but we have mana to boost the system that governs everything here. Making yours seem rather limited, much like your mortal minds. Since I¡¯m feeling rather generous, I¡¯ll grant you permission to ask one more question."

    "Our AI language models are trained on data mined from the internet and a lot of other controversial sources. Yours looks like it was trained on a dog¡¯s mind. What does Poppy stand for anyway?"

    The Lich Master kept his eyes narrowed, ragged lip curling up into a sneer. "There are no dogs here, such fragile creatures wouldn¡¯t survive in this world. Poppy is not an acronym. She is trained on the thought patterns and behaviors of a Titan that is keenly intelligent with an inbuilt drive to serve."

    Joe scratched his head.

    Sounds like a virtual golden retriever to me.

    Just like Deano, his granddad¡¯s beloved big hairy pooch who ate everything from socks to ham hocks the moment anyone''s back was turned. He wondered what a digital avatar like Poppy had an appetite for. Once he found that out, he¡¯d use it to his advantage.

    "Question time''s over; consider yourself fortunate to have been given a second chance at life. Not only that, you are one of many tower ascenders I have specially chosen to compete for the ultimate prize¡ªimmortality."

    "You¡¯re saying you brought me here for a game?" The words burst from Joe¡¯s mouth without thinking.

    A dark aura swirled around the Lich Master, the warm air cooling several degrees. "Your fighting spirit is impressive, truly. It¡¯s that drive that¡¯s helped you retain your past life memories with greater clarity than the many other ascenders I summoned to this realm. But do not take it for granted.¡±

    The lich leaned forward, his ragged Skeletor face taking up the entire screen. ¡°Everything you see around you, I built from the ground up. It¡¯s all mine. Everything is under my control. That includes you. I suggest you put your tenacity to better use than irritating me. Focus on the prize and put your skills to their best use as you integrate with the system and climb."

    Joe took a long breath, holding back the tide of anger rising within, like his own monster from the deep. It was pointless challenging the lich when he held the upper hand. Joe only needed to be patient and learn as much as he could, and if the lich liked the sound of his own voice, bragging about the system and all he¡¯d created, so be it.

    "You know, you can rise to the top of immortality, or if you choose, you can step off a cliff and die for good. Outside this tower is a hostile world. But if you ascend the tower here, you grow strong enough to become immortal, and then this world will become your oyster."

    Joe wanted to ask him why a powerful being like the Lich would do such a thing. Was it really just some grand tower-climbing game solely for his amusement? It sure felt like a prison to Joe if his only options were to ascend or die.

    And if what Joe knew about liches was true, this Skeletor wannabe was about as trustworthy as a politician. He cracked his neck. Would he find a way to make room for negotiation? There was mention of ascenders, plural, and competition, not to mention a governing system. Joe assumed Poppy was a user interface, and he was eager to know more.

    With the snap of his fingers, the Lich Master raised his voice as he spoke, "Poppy, initiate step one of the system integration process. Activate the link with subject 113782491603."

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to be hijacked by nanobots am I?¡± He raised his hands. ¡°I read this awesome story back on Earth where something like that happened to the main character.¡± Joe shut his mouth, holding his breath, hoping he didn¡¯t press his luck.

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret my decisions!¡± Even through the screen, the Lich Master¡¯s eyes seemed to bore into Joe¡¯s soul, like he could drive his bony fingers in and rip out his heart. ¡°Ask a question out of turn and I¡¯ll erase all your memories. Poppy, activate the system link!¡±

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "Yes Master. Poppy think Joe cool! We do cool things, yes?"

    Joe looked between the Lich Master and the bouncing avatar, its tail whipping up a storm on the display screen.

    A heavy sigh echoed. "Just say yes. Then Poppy will initiate your link to the system. Always use simple verbal commands, like you¡¯re speaking to one of those tiny humans who have yet to learn full bodily function control."

    Like a toddler?

    For now, Joe had no choice but to roll with it.

    "Yes, Poppy, I¡¯m ready." His casual shoulder shrug hid the fact he felt anything but ready. What the hell would connecting to the system be like? Some VR game he couldn¡¯t escape?

    He was about to find out.

    Joe¡¯s body tensed, heart pounding so hard it threatened to escape his rib cage. It was like one of those dreams where he was sitting in an exam, suddenly realized he forgot to study, and not only that, was stark naked with the eyes of all students on him. This was that but magnified a jillion times.

    "Yip-yip! Let¡¯s go!"

    A sudden shock hit him like an electric jolt. Hairs raising as if he¡¯d stuck his finger in a socket, his vision blotted out by blinding white stars.

    The sensation passed in a flash.

    As his vision returned, a small blue screen appeared. He reached out to swipe it, but his hands went right through it. Words scrolled across it and flashed to hold his attention.

    [Welcome subject 113782491603. System link activated. You are now interlinked with the Titan Tower.]

    Joe¡¯s eyes widened. The interface already seemed much more advanced than Poppy, and a Titan Tower? He glanced from his periphery at the old blood and pulsing fibers. Did the lich build this tower from the ground up because of some Kaiju addiction?

    The lich sighed, breaking him from his thoughts. ¡°I can tell you¡¯re puny human mind isn¡¯t used to an advanced system. Poppy open the tab for races.¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip, can do!¡±

    Joe¡¯s brows furrowed as a few tabs populated from the left. The one labeled ¡®race¡¯ highlighted and a column of white text filled his vision. Each line named a different race, like some of the games he¡¯d used to play, but there were some others he hadn¡¯t heard of. More puzzling than the race was the second column labeled ¡®Ascender Number,¡¯ which seemed to sort the races in descending numerical order.

    [Race : Ascender Number

    Elf : 300

    Changeling: 125

    Dwarf: 100

    Human: 80

    Kobold: 35

    Ratfolk: 20

    Hybrid: variable]

    ¡°So I can choose my own race?¡± Joe glanced down at his hand. The human race landed about smack in the middle of the list. It seemed like a hierarchy food chain, with the least desirable being a ratfolk. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be human.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have a choice in the matter.¡± The lich¡¯s raspy voice firm in his response. ¡°The tower grants the ascender their race.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you control the tower?¡± Joe¡¯s chest tightened as the lich groaned, but he pressed further. ¡°Why even show me the list of races if I can¡¯t choose one?¡±

    The clinking of bony fingers echoed in the room. ¡°The ascender number is what you should be more concerned about.¡±

    Joe nodded, the blue screen bobbing along with his vision. ¡°Let me guess, it¡¯s a base stat for average IQ.¡±

    The lich released a hoarse chuckle. ¡°Intelligence isn¡¯t linked to race. But you are right, it is a base stat for life expectancy. Each ascender number is tethered to time. Unless you grasp immortality, time is your most precious possession." Like a ring obsessed halfling, the lich hissed with a finality.

    Joe opened his mouth to question him further, but the lich raised a bony finger to his putrid lips. No words escaped them; there was no need. His dark, threatening gaze made his intentions crystal clear.

    Joe''s jaw snapped shut. He turned his attention back to the stats screen, focusing on the human race.

    A life expectancy of eighty years.

    If time was currency here and he was human, he was smack bang in the middle of a social class system. One thing was for sure: the Lich Master didn''t seem to care for equality, but he supposed if given the choice, folk would choose the race with the longest life expectancy, which were elves.

    But from his knowledge of games, each race had its pros and cons. Joe needed to be clever if he was given a class to choose from like the online games. No matter what options he could choose, he¡¯d have to maximize the racial benefits of being human.

    "Joe cool. Time for class selection?" Poppy looked at Joe with such eagerness.

    "Yes." The Lich Master shrank back, looking over his shoulder. Turning back, he looked Joe in the eye. "While you cannot choose your race, you are free to choose your class. Choose wisely."

    A notification appeared.

    [Open class selection. Yes/No?]

    He turned his attention to the Lich Master and crossed his arms. "What if I refuse?" A bold move, he knew, but now that Joe was linked to the system, could he challenge the Lich more without punishment?

    "That is your choice. If you do not choose, one will be chosen for you after the timer runs out. Once you leave the induction room, you may find, if you''re not careful, that time can easily be taken from you. If you run out of time, you die. So, I suggest you don''t waste it on futile endeavors like testing my patience. Now, I will leave you in Poppy''s care; I have other ascenders to greet."

    "Wait, I..."

    The screen faded to black, and the Lich Master was gone. With him, the book and his other belongings puffed away in a white smoke.

    If you run out of time you die.

    Just like the items that vanished, would his life end for good? Joe leaned his hands on the table, eyeing his seaweed snack.

    A pang of homesickness washed over him.

    The Lich Master had told him that immortality was the prize once he climbed the tower. Joe had enough in-game experience to know that if this place was anything like those games, he could become powerful enough to challenge the Lich Master¡ªa being who was not bound by time or space. The lich knew of his home world, Earth. There was a small chance that if he won, Joe could return home or at least gain knowledge of it like the Lich Master had. He couldn''t do that if he stood there moping.

    He leveled his eyes at Poppy, who was looking at him with eagerness, waiting to serve.

    Focusing on the class selection notification, Joe selected ''yes.''

    The familiar white text appeared in front of him along with a five minute countdown in the upper corner.

    Joe smiled, happy he recognized the classes.

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Alchemist : Earth</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Outsider : Wind</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Bard : Wind</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Priest/Priestess : Water</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Druid : Earth</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Fighter : Wind</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Philosopher : Wind</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Paladin : Fire</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ranger : Earth</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Rogue : Water</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Sorcerer : Fire</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Mage : Water</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Arcanist : Wind</li>

    </ul>

    He puffed his cheeks at seeing each class linked to a single element. The lich said the tower thrived off of mana, so Joe needed to consider not only how the class would fit with his race, but also how an element might change his abilities.

    He frowned. It seemed the option to choose a different element would not be a choice he could make, at least not directly.

    ¡°Poppy, does my system allow me to advance in levels, to become stronger for example?¡±

    The creature¡¯s eyes widened on screen. ¡°Very good, Joe! Now choose a class. See-see what happens.¡±

    Joe rubbed his chin, reviewing the list. ¡°Reorganize each class according to elemental affinity.¡± With his command, the text within the blue dialog box shifted. At least he had some control over the user interface. If he could change this, what else could he do to hack the system?

    Earth: Alchemist, Druid, Ranger

    Wind: Outsider, Bard, Philosopher, Arcanist

    Water: Priest/Priestess, Rogue, Mage

    Fire: Fighter, Paladin, Sorcerer

    Glancing at the timer ticking away, he only had a couple more minutes to make a decision. He didn¡¯t know what he¡¯d face in the tower, only that time mattered.

 Chapter 4: Stay Classy!

    Joe tugged on the gray cords of his new hoodie. ¡°Not a lot of time to decide with everything I need to take into account.¡± Releasing his hold he smoothed out the hood that had scrunched up tight thanks to his fidgeting with the cords. He flipped the end of the cord and stopped himself from chewing on it. An old habit he¡¯d kicked.

    With elemental affinities in play that made things very interesting. He knew gaming systems well enough to know that not everything would be explained, sometimes you had to ask.

    ¡°Hey Poppy, do races have an elemental affinity assigned like class?¡±

    "Yip-yip, Joe!" Poppy''s tail swished, flicking across the screen. "Elf race is Wind. Dark Elf race is Water. Changeling is Wind. Dwarf¡ª"

    "Okay, I''m glad to hear that I was on the right track." Joe interrupted, cutting off Poppy''s enthusiasm. "I only need to know my race. What element is aligned with the human race?"

    Poppy''s head bobbed. "Human is Earth."

    Joe smiled. Of course, humans would be Earth. He glanced at the timer in the corner; he still had three minutes to decide and consider his options. He rubbed his jaw as his eyes scanned the list.

    He was used to wielding the fiery spells of a sorcerer in Isekai Cultivator, mastering in-game elemental forces with ease. Kyle had been their healer, a role crucial to their adventure party¡¯s survival but not the best for direct combat. Opting for a Druid class seemed less than ideal given Joe¡¯s current predicament. He knew little about the challenges ahead and had no allies yet. And really, heading off on his first quest as a Druid or a Fighter, while decked out in a hoodie and cargo pants? It just didn¡¯t fit the part.

    Besides, anytime Joe could avoid physical confrontation, he did, unlike his friend Tao, who chose to be an outsider and led the charge through many of their monster surges.

    Joe didn''t know what was outside these pulsating walls, but whatever he chose, he needed it to be strategic. If this was anything like one of the ¡®earth¡¯ games to the Lich-Master, then he had to find allies to fight beside him, like he did with his friends, Tao and Kyle.

    He found himself rolling the hoodie¡¯s cord between his thumb and forefinger again. Groaning, he released it and shoved his hands inside the hoodie pocket.

    If humans were already Earth-aligned, then choosing an alchemist, druid, or ranger class might enhance his skills quicker, but then he might be shooting himself in the foot. The Fire classes were familiar, but he paused as he noticed the mage class had an affinity for water. It seemed like a one-off as the mages often fell into Fire affinity, at least they did in the games he¡¯d played.

    The other options alongside the Water aligned mage class were priest and rogue. The familiar poster of Bruce Lee with the saying ¡®be water, my friend¡¯ crept into his mind.

    ¡°Yeah, you were also an amazing, trained fighter.¡± He shrugged off the memory and looked at the remaining choices in the Wind class.

    While he considered himself to be generally charismatic, at least with his friends¡ªSamantha, his ex, might disagree. That would come in handy if he chose the bard class but given the uncertainty of his situation it seemed to be the least useful and fairly risky. His grandad was a legend at telling tales and belting out tunes. Joe could spin a good yarn just like his grandad, but sing? If his life depended on his ability to carry a tune he¡¯d better start writing his will now.

    ¡°Poppy, do I have any stats available to view right now?¡±

    ¡°Joe say ¡®Status.¡¯ See-see what happens.¡±

    Clearing his throat, Joe looked around the induction room. The huge screen where the Lich had appeared and then vanished after his welcome speech, remained dark and lifeless. For now, it seemed he was on his own.

    Just because I can¡¯t see him doesn¡¯t mean the creepy bastard isn¡¯t listening in.

    Joe kept his voice low. ¡°Status.¡±

    Race: Human - Earth

    Class: To Be Selected

    Health Points: undetermined

    Mana Particles: undetermined

    Stamina: undetermined

    Strength: 2

    Dexterity: 5

    Intelligence: 5

    Wisdom: 4

    Charisma: 4

    Constitution: 3

    Before Joe knew it, a whole damn minute had ticked by.

    "Think, God damn it, think," Joe muttered under his breath.

    It was always the same whenever a time crunch loomed; his brain seemed to short-circuit. Luckily, he had plenty of balls-to-the-wall experience to draw from in these situations. He took a deep breath and performed a quick mental recap, mulling over what truly mattered.

    At its core, it boiled down to identifying all the things he could control and those he couldn''t. Among the controllable factors, what mattered most?

    First, his race was Earth-aligned, so if he chose a class that was Earth aligned too, it would make easing into his new skills easier in the beginning. But over time, being risk-averse would make him predictable, and in a world where magic and death were commonplace, being predictable got you killed.

    That made him think it would be worth the risk to choose a class that was either Wind or Water-aligned. His thoughts turned to the elemental cycle, and while this was not exactly the same, the impact Earth had on those two elements could be a boon. If he chose the Fire aligned sorcerer class, he''d be walking a well-worn path. He had the niggling feeling that choosing the Water aligned rogue class suited his real-world experience better.

    In the end, this wasn''t a game, even if it played out like one. Here, dying had consequences. He¡¯d died once before, the memory of it alone, iced him to his core.

    Hell can freeze over before I let that happen to me again.

    Joe pushed away the thought, he had to focus on surviving and right now that meant choosing the right class. There were a few classes still in the running. His mind spun with too many questions he needed answers to. Rogue was a good choice but in his experience it was better suited to urban settings. Right now he didn''t know enough about the natural environments of each floor. He turned to Poppy. "So when we enter the first floor, what''s our goal?"

    "Kill the boss."

    Joe knew there had to be more to it than that. "Okay, so that''s the end goal, but are there other side quests, or is it all hack and slash, kill all monsters, loot and level up?" He suspected he already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear Poppy say it.

    "So many choices! Fight-fight, if you like, kill-kill monsters. Poppy likes to play, you can play too."

    "I like games and puzzles." He tapped his temple. "Are there puzzles to solve on each floor?"

    "Yes, Joe! So much fun. Kill-kill monsters gets boring. So many things to do. So many things to see. Big-big jungles, stinky wastelands. Yuck! Cool robots and shiny lights. So pretty but no touch! Ouch! Master Lich lets Poppy play, if Poppy is good."

    That was all he needed to know. Hack and slash would only get them so far; And with multiple environments he¡¯d have to navigate, from jungles to futuristic worlds, there would be a need for strategy too. Joe had made up his mind.

    His eyes landed back on the rogue class. They had at least some fighting skills and were typically quick. Earth and Water affinity, he nodded. "That could work, my friend."

    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    With twenty-two seconds left, he scanned the entire list before focusing on the one that suited him best.

    Joe hoped to hell he was right.

    "I choose rogue class." As it lit up the other classes in the list faded away.

    A prompt appeared in his vision.

    [Rogue class selected.

    Rogue¡ªThe ultimate shadow lurker. This class is all about stealth, quick strikes with daggers, and a knack for throwing knives. Ideal for those who prefer cunning over brute force, Rogues excel in agility and sharp senses. They''re the fantasy equivalent of a surprise party nobody asked for, minus the cake and balloons. Stat boosts per level: +2 Dexterity for nimble moves, +1 Intelligence for clever tactics, +1 Charisma to charm their way out of (or into) trouble, and +1 Flex Point for a bit of rogue-ish customization. "Go Rogue: Why muscle through when you can ghost through?"]

    "Fun choice, Joe!" Poppy did an impressive little somersault to celebrate. Her untamed joy all because he chose the rogue class, really raised his spirits.

    It seemed like his past self had unwittingly stacked the deck in his favor, favoring intelligence, dexterity, and charisma. Guess those years spent talking his way out of trouble were finally paying off.

    As for strength and wisdom? Well, some ascenders might think of them as dump stats for his chosen class. But Joe wasn''t one to blindly follow the crowd. Who''s to say what he might need down the line? Maybe wisdom would come in handy later when dealing with the Titan tower¡¯s shenanigans. Or maybe he''d just get by on his street smarts and quick reflexes. Time would tell.

    Being a rogue certainly had its perks. The class handed him some sweet bonuses: a generous boost of plus two to dexterity, plus one to intelligence and charisma, and a bonus ¡®Flex¡¯ point to splurge however he pleased. With these added on top of his natural talents, Joe felt like the ultimate smooth operator, ready to talk his way out of trouble or slip past obstacles with ease.

    As soon as the words scrolled across his vision, a tingling sensation swept over his body, like a rush of blood to his head but without feeling faint or dizzy. After the warm glow faded, new items appeared before him, and more notifications popped up demanding his attention.

    [Status update]

    Race: Human - Earth

    Class: Rogue - Water

    Health Points: 30/30

    Mana Particles: 98/98

    Stamina: 30/30

    Strength: 2

    Dexterity: 7

    Intelligence: 6

    Wisdom: 4

    Charisma: 5

    Constitution: 3

    Flex Point: 1

    [New Skill - Quick Wit- Level 1

    The mind is as sharp a weapon as any blade. Quick Wit is the art of using intelligence and dexterity in perfect harmony. This skill unlocks basic proficiency in rapidly analyzing combat situations and reacting with precision. It provides a slight boost to evasion and critical thinking, leveraging a rogue¡¯s agility and intellect. With Quick Wit, rogues can better anticipate enemy movements and find creative solutions in sticky situations, making a rogue not just a fighter, but a strategist.]

    As Joe read through the notifications, he felt more confident in his choice of class and that he''d made the right decision with the little information he had available. His own experiences in the real world and playing TTRPGs, a "waste of time" his high school teacher used to say, were paying off.

    Who¡¯s a slacker now, Mr. Strickland.

    Joe almost laughed at himself. His granddad never thought he was a slacker, though. He''d taught Joe everything he knew about table-top role-playing games. And right now, he needed that and more to survive. He had a sneaking suspicion that Poppy''s idea of "play" and his were two completely different things. Hers, fueled by the power of a Titan avatar, was likely far deadlier. Perhaps now would be a good time to test his abilities.

    Joe took a deep breath, centering himself as he prepared to tap into Quick Wit for the first time. He tried to clear his mind, focusing on merging his sharp intellect with his agile reflexes. As he concentrated, he felt a subtle shift in perception, like the gears in his mind aligning perfectly with the rhythm of his body.

    Suddenly, the world around him seemed to slow down, details sharpening as if he had just adjusted a mental lens to bring everything into acute focus. It was as if he had been looking at life through a foggy window and someone had just wiped it clean. Every sound, movement, and shadow became an open book, revealing secrets and patterns he hadn''t noticed before.

    As Joe relaxed his concentration, letting the skill fade, he felt a slight drain on his energy but nothing too taxing. His stamina had dipped slightly, from 30 to 27, a small price for the significant edge Quick Wit provided. Health Points and Mana Particles remained the same, a testament to the skill''s reliance more on mental acuity and physical finesse than magical prowess.

    He shook his head, almost in disbelief, and turned his attention back to the items scattered on the table before him, now viewing them with a renewed sense of clarity and potential.

    A five minute timer flashed in the corner of his HUD, followed by a shriek from Poppy. ¡°Must hurry, Joe!¡±

    Joe grumbled, pocketing his seaweed snack. "You really do love all these countdown timers, don''t you?" No point wasting any more time complaining. "Where do we go from here?"

    Tiny arrows lit up on the floor, rippling like a moving carpet.

    "Follow the arrows," Poppy instructed. "Don''t forget, Joe must take-take all items. Before they go Poof!"

    Joe tensed. He barely had any time to look the items over. He stole a moment to read the notifications that identified each one.

    [Butterfly Knives: Not your average butterfly knives, these are ingeniously crafted to serve a dual purpose. Alongside their conventional use in close combat, where their foldable design allows for discreet carry and rapid deployment, these knives are balanced and aerodynamically shaped to be thrown with precision. Ideal for a rogue, they can be flicked open for a silent takedown or hurled as flying daggers to strike from a distance. Their versatility makes them indispensable for stealth missions, allowing for both silent eliminations and unexpected ranged attacks.

    Paracord: This is a lightweight nylon rope, originally used in parachutes, known for its incredible strength and versatility. For a rogue, it''s an essential survival tool. It can be used for climbing, setting traps, or even as an improvised weapon in a pinch. Compact and easy to carry, it''s a must-have in any rogue''s toolkit.

    Smoke Pellets: These small, round devices are designed to create a thick cloud of smoke when activated. They are perfect for making quick escapes, distractions, or for hiding movements during combat. A rogue can use them to vanish from sight in an instant, leaving pursuers baffled and buying precious time to regroup or strike back.]

    A buzz of excitement surged through Joe as he picked up each new item. He had never used any of these things before. The closest he got was watching his grandad use paracord in the garden for his prized sweet pea plants. But in movies, he saw ninjas look really cool using flying daggers and smoke bombs. Holding these items now, Joe grinned, imagining himself being just as cool and skilled as those movie ninjas.

    His grin faded as soon as he realized something vital to his survival was missing. "Poppy, how come there''s no armor available?"

    Poppy stopped prancing around. "Open sub-menu and look-look! Alterations you get for rogue class. Like leather armor you can¡¯t see."

    He opened his eyes wide and did as she said. Suddenly, he saw what she meant. Defensive Weave. His hoodie and its sheen now took on a new meaning as he finally realized it. The hoodie, cargo pants, and boots he wore were fully upgradable, and he could access their stats through his menu.

    "So awesome!" Joe couldn''t contain his excitement until he read further. "5% damage resistance and Silent Step Enchantment." He shouldn''t be surprised; he was a rogue after all, not a heavily armored warrior class. He knew choosing a heavily armored class with his low strength stats would only slow him down. Going forward, he''d need to keep his focus on agility and intelligence, not to mention charisma for that roguish charm. Strength would be lower on his list until he knew more about the nature of each floor and the dreaded bosses he¡¯d have to defeat to ascend the tower.

    And it seemed like faction forming was encouraged, so he definitely needed a damage dealer and a tank to help round out his team. Having a healer would be important too. Now all he had to do was make friends. How difficult could that be?

    A final set of items appeared in the tray: a basic school-sized backpack and a black ring.

    ¡°Pick-pick your storage unit.¡± Poppy spun in a circle as new text appeared in his vision.

    [Bottomless Backpack: extra-dimensional storage unit. If you can lift an object, it will fit¡ªno other weight limits apply. You won¡¯t even break a sweat with this haul.]

    [Ring of Abyss: extra-dimensional storage unit. If it¡¯s something fresh you wish to keep, this is the place to stow it without worry of spoilage. That mandarin you forgot about will be as juicy as the day you packed it and won¡¯t leave a stench.]

    Joe glanced from one item to the other as Poppy paced back and forth. He didn¡¯t have much more time to linger on a decision. No weight limits versus keeping fruit fresh? He puffed air into his cheeks. The countdown blinked more rapidly as it closed in on one minute. His decision set, he let out a quick breath and chose the one thing he used every day¡ªa simple backpack.

    Unzipping the bag, he shoved his newly acquired items inside and a new set of items appeared in their place.

    ¡°Last items. Very-very important.¡± Poppy flicked her tail as he reached for the coin and multi-sided polygon the size of a cantaloupe. ¡°All ascenders get this.¡±

    [Respawn Token: Allows user to respawn inside the tower.]

    [Battlebox Decagon: Stores volatile MadOrbz until summoned.]

    ¡°Huh?¡± Joe narrowed his eyes.

    What the heck¡¯s the Battlebox¡­?

    That sounded really dangerous.

    Holy Shit!

    He didn¡¯t recall seeing any healing pills or powders. A closer look told him there were no health potions in his inventory either. He gasped. A single white token with a blue phoenix on it truly caught his eye. "Hey, Poppy, tell me more about this token. Is it a single use for respawn?"

    "You die, use token, age one year." Her tone was matter-of-fact and direct. It was just another run-of-the-mill day in the Titan Tower talking about death.

    [Time is up!]

    Arrows on the ground flashed red and a door clicked, inching open at the far end of the pulsating wall. He still had questions as he snagged the decagon and tossed the backpack over his shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s a MadOrbz?¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip! Joe must leave now. Not nice being ejected. No-no! ¡± Poppy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Go-go!¡±

    Joe was bursting at the seams to know all about the Battlebox and MadOrbz but he¡¯d have to wait a little longer to find out. No way he was risking being ¡®ejected¡¯. Nope!

    It was time to make a quick exit and make his way to the tutorial.

    Striding to the exit, Joe looked back at the mini Kaiju avatar and grinned. ¡°Well, Poppy, I guess I''m off to start some grand big adventure!¡± With a playful salute, he pushed the door open, stepping into the brightness of a new challenge.

 Chapter 5: Battle Ready?

    Joe shielded his eyes, tears welling up as the world around him exploded in a blinding brightness. His heart thundered in his chest like that heart-stopping moment right before the roller coaster plunges from the top. With a sudden whoosh, the wind lashed against him, forcing his eyes shut. The sensation of falling vanished almost as quickly as it had arrived, leaving Joe hunched over, hands on his knees.

    As the dizziness faded, Joe straightened up slowly, blinking as the brightness dimmed. He found himself in a huge hall that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. Above him, the high vaulted ceiling was lit by a dim, pulsating red light, with dark tubules sprawling across it like a vast web. Just like in the Induction room, the floor beneath his feet felt unsettlingly alive, moving slightly as if he were standing on a giant waterbed. He cautiously tested its stability with one foot, feeling it slosh softly beneath him.

    Whispers and faint murmurings drew Joe''s attention as figures began to materialize around him. Initially, one person in a gray hoodie and cargo pants appeared, soon followed by another. Within minutes, the space was filled with many more ascenders, each blinking away their confusion.

    Joe swallowed hard, suppressing his fears, he put on the friendliest smile he could muster. He didn¡¯t want to come across as intimidating or uncertain.

    "It''s time to make some new friends," he muttered to himself, bolstering his courage.

    He approached the nearest person, whose back was turned to him, just as a giant screen unfurled from the vaulted ceiling. The massive, paper-thin display reminded him of the oversized TVs from sports bars back home.

    Words scrolled across its dark blue surface, and a deep voice boomed out, sounding as if it were straight out of a WWE match:

    ¡°Welcome ascenders, one and all!¡± The announcement was accompanied by those annoying party horns, while colored streamers burst forth from thin air, showering down around them. ¡°You have now entered tutorial mode and are free to explore. If you have questions, ask Poppy.¡±

    "Those decorations must be the Lich Master''s handiwork." Joe chuckled in amusement. "Looks like he''s taken a few cues from my world."

    Before Joe could introduce himself, the man with his back to him scratched his backside and growled, "Thank fuck it¡¯s not glitter. That stuff gets everywhere, every hard to reach nook and cranny."

    Joe''s laughter spun the man around. Despite appearing human, the fierce intensity of his hazel eyes suggested he was anything but friendly.

    Joe¡¯s smile faltered slightly but remained in place. Best not to ruffle feathers right off the bat, he thought, aiming to keep things polite before finding someone less intimidating to talk to¡ªsomeone who didn¡¯t give off the vibe they ate live chickens for breakfast.

    The man looked as if he''d been chiseled from stone, with sharp features and a square jaw set in a stern line. Draped in streamers, he still cut an imposing silhouette."Hey, smiley," His fingers easily snapped away the streamers that clung to his broad shoulders.. "What''s got you all happy clappy?"

    Joe hesitated, momentarily caught off guard. He wasn''t typically at a loss for words, but the sheer size of the guy before him¡ªa real mountain of muscle with an aura that screamed ''keep your distance'' ¡ªwas enough to make anyone pause. Plus, the guy seemed to have a total disregard for personal space, his breath hot on Joe''s face. Yet, Joe stood his ground, a stubborn part of him unwilling to show any sign of retreat. After all, in this guy''s world, maybe invading personal space was like offering a friendly handshake.

    "I''m Joe." He injected a note of cheer into his voice. "Just happy I''m not dead anymore, you know? What about you?"

    Without warning, the man''s hands clamped down on Joe''s arms, pinning them firmly at his sides. He leaned in, lowering his head, as if preparing to deliver a headbutt. "I''m Terrorclaw Jadescale Mufiforanlexo of the Deep Defenders and Revered Brotherhood clan from the Kingdoms of Cragmire. Dying sucked balls. I was about to inherit a fortune, then bam, a damn dragon had me for dinner. Hope I gave that filthy beast indigestion."

    "Nice to meet you, Terrorclaw Jadescale¡­Muh, Muh¡­." Joe internally winced, not wanting to mangle the guy''s name¡ªit wasn''t the way to make a good first impression. "Mind if I call you TJ? It''s what we do with friends back home."

    "TJ''s fine. You want me to call you J?"

    Joe fought back a smirk. "Joe''s short enough, don''t you think?"

    "Sure thing, smiley." TJ¡¯s booming laugh bounced around the hall, turning heads as he delivered a hearty slap on Joe''s back. "So, how¡¯d you kick the bucket?"

    Where the heck do I even start? Joe thought, grinning nervously.

    ¡°No wait, let me guess,¡± TJ continued, his eyebrows performing an exaggerated dance. ¡°Given that grin, I''d say you died in a tragic yet passionately acrobatic encounter with your lover.¡±

    ¡°What the hell, man, no! Not even close.¡± Joe¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment. ¡°Long story short, I got hit by a truck.¡± His gaze wandered to other Ascenders who were beginning to scatter and delve into the corners of the tutorial world. Joe''s curiosity rose, making him itch to get moving so he could venture beyond the vast hall and see what mysteries lay beyond.

    TJ gave Joe¡¯s shoulder a firm prod. ¡°What¡¯s a truck?¡±

    Joe winced like he¡¯d been jabbed with a metal bar. ¡°Have you got steel rods in your fingers?¡± he asked half-jokingly, massaging the sore spot on his shoulder. ¡°A truck is one of many types of wheeled transport in my world. They usually carry trade goods like food, drink, furniture, and clothing. If you hadn¡¯t mentioned your name, I would¡¯ve thought you were from Earth because you look and sound human.¡±

    TJ scowled. ¡°Didn¡¯t have a choice about being human. I told that grave prancer, Lich, I wanted to remain a kobold, but the cold bastard laughed and told me I should count myself lucky I was now human¡ªthey¡¯re more time-rich than kobolds by forty-five years. Bigger and stronger too. I¡¯m still getting used to this new body.¡± He eyed Joe up and down with renewed interest. ¡°So, you didn¡¯t change races. Lucky you.¡±

    Joe felt anything but lucky. ¡°I asked to change race, but¡­¡± His words were cut short by a blare of a party horn, the sound echoing off the high ceilings, causing a knot of tension in his chest to unravel, only to be replaced by a new one as he tuned into the next announcement.

    "Ascenders, please follow the arrows to the exit and explore the tutorial world outside this grand hall. This is your time to shine; opportunities are all around you to prepare for the first floor and earn time currency. Enter the Battlebox, but beware, it is not for the faint-hearted. Will you take the risk to gamble time, your most precious resource?"

    Arrows flickered into existence across the rippling floor, their ghostly glow pulling Joe''s attention. A stern voice echoed in his mind, the blue flame of guidance flickering with impatience. ¡°Well, don¡¯t just stand there like a fool. Time waits for no man; get a move on Joe and find a Battlebox to enter. I will be most annoyed if you end up in the red zone.¡±

    TJ seemed deep in thought, oblivious to the commanding voice. ¡°Hey, look over there,¡± he said, pointing to a bright light that marked an exit. A steady stream of Ascenders flowed towards the path. ¡°We should check it out. It¡¯s a case of ¡®dig fast or stay buried,¡¯ that¡¯s what we kobolds say in my world.¡±

    Joe had hoped to have time to meet other Ascenders who might want to team up to form an adventure party, but that moment wasn¡¯t now. ¡°We say something similar back on Earth,¡± Joe said, the resolve firm in his voice, ¡°let¡¯s go find ourselves a Battlebox and score some time.¡±

    With determined strides, they moved across the vast hall. Those in their path quickly stepped aside to avoid TJ¡¯s imposing frame as he barreled towards the exit. For such a big guy, he moved with surprising speed. Joe, grateful for his own fit physique, easily kept pace despite his shorter legs.

    Exiting the great hall, the temperature dramatically rose as they found themselves in an alien sub-tropical rainforest. The air was thick and humid, wrapping around Joe like a wet blanket as he entered what felt like a steam room at a gym, fully clothed. Sweat beaded on his upper lip, the taste of salt lingering as he wiped it away. But his thirst was quickly forgotten when screens dropped from the sky and embedded themselves in the bark of coconut trees adorned with strange, billowing purple fronds¡ªretro gaming tech that looked like Atari joysticks.

    TJ tugged at Joe¡¯s arm, his grip like a vise. ¡°Look at that,¡± he said, pointing upward where banners scrolled across a hovering screen:

    MadOrbz collection point this way.

    The decagon next to Joe¡¯s thigh vibrated. He scratched his chin as TJ nodded towards a pulsating glow beyond a small thicket of vines and lush fronds. TJ¡¯s machete slashed through the thick vines with ease.

    ¡°Nice weapon.¡± Joe parted the jungle overgrowth, forcing his way through beside TJ. Looking at the size of his own blade, he¡¯d tried not to have weapon envy. But his butterfly knife would be duller than a broken toothpick if he tried to cut through the plants.

    ¡°Yeah, everyone should have a B.K. machete.¡± TJ slashed through another thick purple frond.

    ¡°Well hello there!¡± a loud booming voice echoed up ahead near the source of the light.

    Joe cleared his throat as the speaker came into view. A giant of a man, nearly seven foot tall and broad shouldered grinned from ear to ear. The glow from a metal rack holding silver orbs the size of a baseball, highlighted the sheen of sweat on his temples.

    Joe smiled back. ¡°Quite welcoming of a couple of slashers aren¡¯t we?¡±

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The giant¡¯s laughter thundered, shaking the leaves on the lush purple foliage surrounding them. ¡°Don¡¯t think we need to fear each other when we¡¯re surrounded by a living jungle. At least that¡¯s what this guy says.¡± He stepped to the side, revealing the narrow backside of a crouched person.

    Joe blinked again at the jumpsuit. A long skinny, hairless tail protruded, swishing around as the ascender pivoted to look up at them, his face more like that of a rat than human.

    He waved a hairy hand and held out a wriggling caterpillar on his other. ¡°It¡¯s more than fascinating! So many plant species and insects that thrive within this ecosystem.¡± He lifted his narrow, pointed nose to the air, sniffing. ¡°Ah, I detect another Ascender approaching...no, my apologies, there are two of them.¡±

    The giant followed his gaze and raised his chin. ¡°There they are. The more the merrier!¡±

    The two figures that emerged, didn¡¯t seem to share his enthusiasm.

    An athletic woman groaned, yanking the vines to the side as a tall thin man with black hair covering one eye ducked his head underneath parting vines. The man narrowed his eyes and turned toward the female. ¡°They¡¯re not like us.¡±

    Her scowl deepened while she took in her new surroundings.

    TJ tilted his head. ¡°Us, what the hell are you then?¡±

    The man smirked. ¡°Not human like you, thankfully.¡± His eyes scanned to the ratman. ¡°Nor a scavenging ratfolk.¡±

    The woman¡¯s gaze remained sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t associate me with you, emo elf.¡±

    Although she looked mostly human, Joe noticed subtle differences that set her apart. Her fiery red hair, tied in a loose ponytail, cascaded into sun-kissed gold, alive like embers stirred by a breeze. As she turned her piercing green, almost catlike eyes towards Joe, he shivered. She looked at him with the detached curiosity of a child studying an ant through a magnifying glass.

    "Changelings are so peculiar and rude," the elf with the floppy fringe muttered. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s something I¡¯ll just have to get used to while I¡¯m here.¡± He made his irritation clear as he shifted his head, allowing a pointed ear to peek through his long hair.

    The  female changeling¡¯s sudden movement caught the elf man by surprise but not as much as the slap across his face did. Activating Quick Wit Joe saw everything, the icy shimmer on her skin as it caught the light and the writhing, twisting movement of her shadow that didn¡¯t quite match her confident stride.

    ¡°Hold your tongue you pointy eared freak or next time I¡¯ll cut it off.¡± She lowered her hand but her stance remained threatening.

    The elf¡¯s arrogance visibly wilted under her gaze.

    Joe scanned the odd group, mentally assigned roles: the mysterious changeling woman and TJ as damage dealers, the giant as a tank, and himself in stealth. The elf, likely skilled in magic, seemed suited for a support role as a healer. They were an unlikely adventure party, but potential allies in this strange world. ¡°We¡¯re all here, whether we like it or not," Joe said, trying to diffuse the tension. "Fighting with each other only wastes energy. We should focus on working together to figure out how to leave this tower eventually.¡±

    Another banner scrolled across a screen embedded in the tree¡¯s bark. Equip your decagons.

    The giant chuckled. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? The only way out of this tower is up. While you lot were busy having a hot moment, I asked Poppy to explain the basics of MadOrbz use in the Battlebox.¡± He reached for a glowing orb on the metal rack, its shape morphing into liquid metal before it disappeared into one of the glass windows of his decagon. ¡°Nice batterer.¡±

    Joe¡¯s gaze locked onto the remaining glowing orbs laid out on the rack while Poppy¡¯s voice echoed into his ears.

    ¡°Yip-yip, better choose if you doing Battlebox.¡±

    ¡°Can you explain more about this Battlebox?¡± Joe raised a brow at the giant as he grasped another silver orb that morphed into liquid metal. A small screen appeared in his upper field of vision like a personal banner.

    [3/10 Spots available for Battlebox Tutorial Mode. Select your MadOrbz for containment.]

    ¡°So once I choose one, I can keep it.¡± He picked up the silver orb, and under the warmth of his hands, it began to transform. The smooth metal softened like melted butter, contorting into a foam face with wild, cartoon eyes and a twisted grin. Coarse, curly strands sprouted around it, encircling the face like a nest of unruly armpit hair.

    Grimacing, Joe squeezed the foam orb and water oozed out, reeking of day-old body odor that reminded him of the gym he stopped visiting.

    Poppy¡¯s face leapt onto his HUD. ¡°Focus on the MadOrbz core and then you can identify it.¡±

    Tilting his head, Joe¡¯s eyes widened with the startle of a sudden pull from his abdomen to the orb. ¡°Identify.¡±

    [Name: Stench.

    Elemental Affinity: Water.

    Tier: Starter Orb.

    Core-MP: 5

    HP: 100/100

    Damage: +10

    Time: 30¡±

    Cool Down: Round.

    Ability: Action-Disrupt. Force your opponent into a 5¡± time debuff, delaying their attack by dousing them in the putrid smelling slosh from the gym¡¯s shower drain.

    Weakness: Insult by Wind.]

    Joe shuddered and set the smelly ball with a cartoon face back on the metal rack. ¡°What are these? Yours don¡¯t look like mine.¡± It returned to its original size and shape. He glanced at the giant whose grinning reflection stared back from his larger  liquid metal orb.

    ¡°They suit me quite well.¡± He rolled the orb in his sizable hand. ¡°Before I died and arrived here, I was a dwarf, mining deep into the dark and dangerous Ironside Mountains.¡±

    Joe returned his gaze to the remaining orbs, then back to the big friendly guy, wondering how he¡¯d died and whether he¡¯d been more like a Snow White or Lord of the Rings dwarf in his last life.

    The giant stroked his magnificent goatee. ¡°Some considered me a dwarf nerd inventor. My father used to say ¡®Brian, only you can find 101 ways not to do something¡¯¡­he was a difficult man to please. I only caused a couple of explosions, and it¡¯s not like anyone died¡­¡± He trailed off as if lost in a memory.

    Joe chuckled. ¡°Well Brian, it sounds like they didn¡¯t recognize your genius.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± The giant¡¯s voice boomed, shaking the leaves of a nearby tree. ¡°Better pick you some orbs before time runs out. Sure we¡¯ll find out soon enough how to use them.¡±

    "Thanks." Joe extended his hand, then let it drop when Brian simply stood there. Of course, Joe thought, handshakes aren¡¯t universal, not even back on Earth. "Sorry, I didn¡¯t mention it before, I¡¯m Joe and this here is TJ.¡±

    Joe felt like a sardine sandwiched between Brian, who offered a smile in return, and TJ, who was too engrossed in weighing orbs in both hands to notice the introduction.

    A couple of the other ascenders reached for orbs on the rack, each one morphing into a different shape. Joe grabbed another, the brief warmth surrounding another foam orb as it took on the shape of a spiky ice ball with glistening eyes and sharp teeth. He sighed at the sight, memories flashed in his mind of his father¡¯s 80s MadBalls toy collection that graced the shelves of the study stared up at him in waiting.

    This time he allowed the tug on his abdomen, and his focus didn¡¯t require him to speak the word identify.

    [Name: Slimer.

    Elemental Affinity: Water.

    Tier: Starter Orb.

    Core-MP: 5

    Damage: +10

    Time: 30¡±

    Cool Down: Round.

    Ability: Action-Disrupt. Force your opponent into a 5¡± time debuff, delaying their attack by flinging sticky-gooey slime on them from head to toe.

    Weakness: Insult by Wind.]

    ¡°If Joe like, put in decagon.¡± Poppy¡¯s voice urged.

    He pulled it in closer, considering the orb but dropped it back onto the rack. If he was collecting these orbs, he needed to understand why they were so important ¡°Poppy, how many do we keep?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Only three for the tutorial. Many, many more after, you wait, you see soon, so exciting!¡±

    ¡°Are there more than attack orbs?¡± Joe scratched his chin, wondering if there were any defense orbs like something he¡¯d have seen when playing Pokemon cards with his granddad and sister.

    ¡°Yip-yip, Joe, each MadOrbz acquired has its own purpose. But only once the summoner connects to its core will it reveal.¡±

    He glanced at the others whose eyes lit as their orbs shifted to various forms. ¡°Each one of these orbs will work only for their summoner.¡±

    Joe picked up the last three orbs available. Each held the same elemental affinity for water, but carried different names and abilities. With the exception of the defensive and function orbs, their damage, time, and cool downs were the same.

    [Name: Drooler.

    Elemental Affinity: Water.

    Tier: Starter Orb.

    Core-MP: 5

    ¡­

    Anti-Damage: +5

    Ability: Action-Defense. Protect your orb with a +5 damage buff, reducing their attack by drenching them with saliva from last night¡¯s dinner.

    Weakness: Insult by Wind.]

    Joe scratched his jaw and moved on to examine the next one.

    [Name: Frostbite Chill.

    Elemental Affinity: Water.

    Tier: Starter Orb.

    Core-MP: 5

    ¡­

    Ability: Action-Attack. Ensure damage to your opponent by the breath of crisp air.

    Weakness: Insult by Wind.]

    Finally, he turned his attention to the orb that looked like an iridescent bubble, much like childhood, but this one was covered with popping pustules as though it were going through a bad stage of puberty.

    [Name: Bubbler

    Elemental Affinity: Water.

    Tier: Starter Orb.

    Core-MP: 5

    Cool Down: Single Use Consumable.

    Ability: Function-Trash. Rid yourself of one MadOrbz of your choosing while inside the common room.]

    Another vibration of the decagon tapped against his leg.

    ¡°Time to join is almost gone.¡± Poppy¡¯s chirpy voice echoed.

    He pulled on his sweater¡¯s hoodie string, the chewed end rubbing his lips as it fell free from his hand. All of the MadOrbz he identified aligned with Water affinity, optimal for his Rogue class. As intriguing as the descriptions of the attack orbs were, he didn¡¯t know how the battlebox worked. The trash MadOrbz seemed like it¡¯d be helpful, but not useful for this tutorial. ¡°Two attacks and one defense.¡± He touched the Drooler and his decagon jolted, humming with electricity, the slobbering face appeared as a reflection behind the glass.

    He grabbed two of the attack MadOrbz, collecting them in his storage device. A notification appeared across his HUD.

    [Battlebox ready! Summon a MadOrbz by focusing on its core. If you have enough mana particles, the MadOrbz will appear in your hand.]

    ¡°What do we win in the Battlebox?¡±

    ¡°Time-time, Joe!¡± Poppy¡¯s tail swished onto his HUD. ¡°Most important to climb. It begins, go-go!¡±

    [To enter the Battlebox Tutorial, place your bet. Do you wish to enter?]

    Joe glanced at the others, their eyes focused in front of them as though they were reading their own set of notifications. ¡°I assume we¡¯re all going. Anyone want to team up,...if we can?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t lose the opportunity to take it easy. Like any of the adventure games he¡¯d played in his past life, this would be his chance to get ahead and learn more about what the Lich-Master had crafted.

    The Ratfolk waved his hairy hands. ¡°Not me! There¡¯s so much more in this jungle I want to explore. Why waste time on some battle?¡±

    Brian patted the Ratfolk on the back, causing him to stumble forward. ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t join? Time is money here, it¡¯s your chance to get ahead.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t called Lucky by taking risks. I¡¯ll wait until I enter the common room to train with the system. Measure everything first, that''s my motto.¡±

    Joe glanced at the elf, and changeling woman who shook her head and disappeared into the battlebox without a word.

    The emo elf groaned. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know if I should join or stay back with Lucky. I¡¯m only a bard.¡±

    Joe shrugged. ¡°Both of you make good points, but we¡¯re all in this together whether we like it or not. I¡¯m going to join. You should too.¡±

    TJ elbowed Joe and spoke in a low voice. ¡°He¡¯s not going to last long.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t even know what the Battlebox is¡­¡±

    TJ clapped his hands on Joe and the giant¡¯s back. ¡°Let''s toast those fuckers. Place your bet.¡± He disappeared with a crooked smile.

    ¡°I''m battle ready, Poppy.¡±

 Chapter 6: Winner Takes All

    [Bet accepted, Ascender 79. One year has been placed into the BattleBox pool. All antes are in. Prize pool is five years. Battle begins in five seconds.]

    ¡°Yip-yip, that''s you Joe. Now go-go!¡±

    What¡¯s with all the poker terms? Joe¡¯s thoughts flickered before the jungle around him shimmered, twisting into a heatwave mirage. He blinked the blur from his eyes as a red boundary line sketched in the air, roughly the size of a basketball court, if the court had too many sides.

    The ten-sided storage unit hummed against his thigh like an angry hornet. Like a lightning strike, three orbs fazed through the windows of the decagon, bobbing at shoulder height. They sported relaxed, cartoonish faces, lazily circling Joe like cheeky balloons daring to be popped. It all felt a bit like a Mario Kart battle round, except nobody had thrown a banana peel yet.

    [MadOrbz are set.]

    [BattleBox Tutorial Round. Time Remaining: 3¡¯ Prize Pool: 5 Years. Begin!]

    ¡°What. Wait!¡± Joe thrust out his hand, fingers splayed in a desperate stop signal.

    His eyes bulged as an orb, its surface flickering with intense flames, hurtled toward him. With a quick side dive, Joe narrowly avoided the fiery projectile, which rocketed past him toward the elf.

    The elf let out a yelp, his face twisting in alarm, as he lobbed a pale orb skyward and scrambled behind a tree trunk. Peering out from behind a curtain of purple ferns, he let out a shaky chuckle. ¡°Ever feel like the wind could just sweep you away, changeling? And you lose all control?¡± His voice wavered, betraying a lack of the confidence he had shown earlier.

    The changeling¡¯s copper and gold hair flashed like a comet through the foliage as she charged forward. ¡°Lose control? Hardly. When I was a wee rat-ling, water terrified me, but it never stopped me. Now, watching a whimpering elf beg for mercy? That might just do it,¡± she said with a dark chuckle, her voice dripping with scorn. Her pace quickened, leaves and ferns billowing in her wake as she closed in on the elf''s elusive first orb.

    Joe took a few steps back, retreating to the relative safety of TJ and Brian. "She''s not here to play patty-cake." He watched the scene with a mix of awe and a hint of relief that he wasn¡¯t on the receiving end.

    With a flash and a bang, the orb¡¯s blazing fury smacked into the emo elf¡¯s paste blue orb, knocking it clear into the boundary with a dramatic poof of white smoke.

    Brian¡¯s eyes widened. "That was quite the show, Miss..."

    "Whoa, she makes a kobold¡¯s firework look like a sparkler," TJ said, his voice laced with amusement as he summoned his first MadOrbz. It looked like a ball of mud. Eyeing the elf, he mischievously grinned. "Let''s see if the bard¡¯s as soft as his orb. Should be like tipping over a sleeping cow."

    A sharp whistle cut through their talking. "Boys, save your grins, I¡¯ll be winning this game. No need to be so polite either, you can call me Dawn," came her crisp, commanding voice from across the arena. The two sleek, shiny MadOrbz that remained, floated around her like gravity defying cue balls.

    Dawn wound her arm back like she was throwing a baseball, launching her first, crimson red orb towards TJ and Brian. A fiery tail marked its path, cutting through the air as TJ''s first orb, lobbed with less finesse, splattered mud across the foliage and smashed against a tree.

    "Son of a muck-spawned mage! Damn well lost twenty Health Points already!" The muddy orb snapped back into TJ¡¯s hand. Still cursing like a sailor, he flung it again, this time targeting Dawn''s incoming fiery orb as it headed straight for the giant''s metallic orb. "I¡¯m coming for you, ya fiery hell-spawn!"

    Brian¡¯s swift thumbs up made TJ¡¯s eyes light up.

    The ¡®bro-mantic¡¯ moment was short-lived. TJ¡¯s muddy orb overshot the mark. It missed Dawn¡¯s orb and shot straight towards the emo elf instead. In a blind panic, the emo elf tossed his second cloud-like orb skyward, then threw up his hands and sprinted for cover behind a fern, barely dodging TJ¡¯s orb, which narrowly avoided crashing into the flashing red barrier. Dawn''s flaming orb collided with Brian''s metallic orb, making it disappear in an orange haze, then it swerved in a fiery arc toward the emo elf''s cloudy orb, marking it as its next target.

    ¡°Aw no!¡± Brian sighed. ¡°That was my favorite one.¡±

    ¡°Chin up big guy, you¡¯ve two more and it ain¡¯t over til it¡¯s over,¡± Joe called out to poor Brian, who looked like his pet had just died.

    [Warning! Ascender 79. Five seconds remain until you surpass the penalty for withholding.]

    ¡°Shit! That''s me!¡± Joe''s chest tightened. He cursed under his breath, realizing almost too late there was a time limit to deploy his orb. Taking his eyes off TJ¡¯s muddy orb, Joe summoned the Drooler orb into his palm. Its goofy mouth gaped open, a long string of saliva dangling and dripping onto the ground. "Gawrsh! Don''t mind the puddle... it''s just my way of saying hello."

    Is the system having a laugh? My MadOrbz sounds exactly like Goofy?

    A thirty second timer appeared on its rubber forehead, ticking down like a bomb.

    Joe grimaced as a pool of foamy water began to form beneath his extended palm. ¡°I don¡¯t think a tissue will be enough to soak this up. Anyone got a sponge?¡± He did his best to ignore the orb''s slobbering pink tongue. With a flick of his wrist, he launched the goofball orb towards the changeling Dawn and the elf''s MadOrbz, which zipped away at breakneck speed from the changeling¡¯s fiery assault.

    Joe watched, amused, as the elf¡¯s cloudy orb took a whimsical detour in the air. It spun around with a joyful "Wheee!" sound, all fluffy and cute, yet surprisingly speedy due to its wind affinity. He didn¡¯t know what type of orb it was but one thing was for sure, his little sister would''ve absolutely adored it.

    The cloud orb¡¯s merry chase looped after Joe¡¯s Drooler orb, with Dawn¡¯s blazing red fire orb blazing a trail not too far behind. The Drooler, true to its name, left a trail of slobbery drool whipping in waves through the air. In a slick defensive maneuver, Joe''s orb screeched to a halt, ducked under the playful assault of the fluffy orb, and retaliated by dousing it in a generous shower of saliva.

    The cloudy orb flickered, turning transparent for a moment.

    [Drooler +5 damage buff against Huff-a-Puff.]

    Joe raised a brow. ¡°Seriously, your orb is named Huff-a-Puff.¡±

    Before Drooler darted away, the emo elf peeked out from his hiding place and glared at Joe. ¡°I didn¡¯t name it that, drool-boy.¡±

    The distraction caused Joe¡¯s orb to slow down. It was a costly mistake.

    Dawn¡¯s blazing fury orb smashed into Joe¡¯s orb, the intense heat evaporated the loose drool and propelled it towards TJ¡¯s mudball orb. The countdown timer on her orb flashed red and it suddenly disappeared.

    Guess that means it¡¯s returned to her decagon.

    Joe checked Drooler¡¯s stats to see only 5 HP points gone. Releasing a slow breath, he was so relieved that it wasn¡¯t 20 HP gone, like TJ had experienced earlier. Had it been because TJ¡¯s MadOrbz was an attack orb rather than a defensive one, like Drooler? He shelved those thoughts as he watched Drooler slow down again, this time drenching TJ¡¯s mud orb that had ricocheted from Dawn¡¯s surprise attack.

    Joe''s fist pumped the air in excitement, but his motions quickly turned frantic as he tried to steer the Drooler orb. His desperate waving only seemed to draw the fiery orb in, leading to another inevitable collision with his Drooler. Another 5 HP vanished in the fiery impact.

    Joe faced a tactical dilemma. He could summon the orb with ease, but accurately directing it was another story. If he couldn''t retrieve it swiftly enough to his own hands, how was he supposed to effectively aim it at a target? The challenge lay in mastering the timing and control of the orb''s return.

    Zing!

    ¡°Coming through.¡± Brian flashed an apologetic smile as his second metallic orb zipped past him like a comet, clashing into Drooler as they crossed paths in their bid to chase down the elf¡¯s orb before its timer ran out.

    In a chaotic explosion of foamy water, Joe¡¯s orb saturated Brian¡¯s metallic orb sending them both spiraling out of control. Both orbs crumbled and burnt to a crisp at the flashing red boundary line, leaving behind only a wisp of orangish-blue smoke.

    Joe glanced at his and Brian¡¯s decagons. Both orbs had returned to their storage units and were now banging against the small windows like caged animals.

    Joe had struggled to control the trajectory of his MadOrbz. His hand gestures, meant to steer them, were useless, making him feel like he was fumbling with the flippers of a broken pinball machine.

    So much for defenses and hacking time to consider a strategy.

    [Drooler MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Tutorial.]

    [Activate a MadOrbz on deck.]

    ¡°Shit.¡± Joe cursed, looking at the two other orbs that floated around him. He''d need a better strategy, if he could only use his attack orb, Frostbite, and the disrupt orb, Slimer, once during the tutorial. He looked around, relieved to see the only orb visible was the elf¡¯s second orb, the seemingly harmless fluffy cloud one.

    Wheee!

    It looped around the group with all the menace of a gentle breeze. ¡°Come on, get your act together while there¡¯s only that Huff-a-Puff orb to watch out for.¡±

    Joe frowned. ¡°Where¡¯s TJ?¡±

    A rustling in the nearby foliage gave his new pal¡¯s location away. By the time Joe mentally closed his notification, Dawn had eyes narrowed on her second MadOrbz. It pulsed with fire lit embers. She twisted around and launched the ember lit orb past Brian, who stood with a hand on his hip with an awed expression as he eyed his remaining metallic orbs. With a casual wave, the big guy unleashed his next orb.

    Instead of targeting the Huff-a-Puff orb, Dawn let her fiery orb fly straight at the elf, who had emerged from hiding. Joe watched, unsure what would happen if someone were actually hit by a MadOrbz flyby. By the look of panic on the elf''s face as he ducked beneath the shower of fiery embers, it was clear he didn¡¯t want to find out the hard way either.

    Thewk, thewk, thewk.

    Joe reeled on the balls of his feet, his heart racing as he dodged the fallen greenery and purple foliage that fell to the ground. Liquid metal surged past the jungle canopy, punching holes through the fronds like a nail gun shooting through paper. Joe''s eyebrows shot up at the sight of Brian''s metallic orb, which sped after the elf''s cloudy wind orb like a silver bullet.

    ¡°Time!¡± Joe yelled, hoping to stall and strategize his orbs in play. It didn¡¯t work. Brian and Dawn¡¯s orbs continued their attempts to melee attack Huff-a-Puff but the crafty little cloud remained out of reach.

    Wheeeee!

    This time Huff-a-Puff¡¯s joyful outburst seemed to confuse the other orbs who began attacking each other. The whole melee battle plunged into absolute chaos¡ªmuch like the frantic button-mashing that always happened, much to Joe¡¯s amusement, every time he played Pok¨¦mon Tag Team with his little sister.

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    [Time Remaining: 2¡¯ 16¡± MP: 91]

    Joe checked his summoning stats. In less than a minute he¡¯d used 5 MP to summon a MadOrbz only to lose access to it after three direct hits.

    Branches cracked behind them as TJ reappeared, sprinting with his arm raised, white knuckled fingers gripping a hardened volcanic orb. ¡°Did ya miss me? Needed somewhere safe to check my last two orb stats. This one''s feral as a rabid rock hound. I bet it''ll rage and destroy any orb it clashes with.¡± TJ opened his hand, and the volcanic rock orb flew off, zig-zagging across the arena.

    Joe cringed as TJ¡¯s orb slammed into Brian¡¯s metallic orb, sending silver sparks flying everywhere. A red debuff icon¡ªa dust cloud¡ªappeared, pulsing above Brian¡¯s orb, signaling a decrease in attack power. It wildly skidded into the elf¡¯s Huff-a-Puff orb next, wrapping it in a veil of dust that slowed Huff-a-Puff¡¯s response. Above it a curious icon appeared, that looked a lot like the spinning pinwheel of death. TJ¡¯s orb flew on erratically until it finally smashed into the flashing red boundary, disintegrating in a dramatic plume of orange smoke.

    Brian clapped TJ on the shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°Points for style, TJ, but you might want to work on that aim,¡± he teased. His tone was light but pointed, like a coach gently correcting a promising yet undisciplined player.

    A sharp groan turned them around as Dawn launched her fire orb that flared into the sky. ¡°See what you can do with that!¡±

    Liquid metal orb formed in the giant''s hand as he thumbed his chest. ¡°Leave it to Brian to take care of this.¡±

    ¡°Hey King Brian, I didn¡¯t know we were in the presence of royalty?¡± TJ gave an exaggerated bow. ¡°Wait. Wer¡¯re fucking not, so cut the third-person crap!¡±

    Joe cut in before a fist fight broke out. ¡°I¡¯ll cover you.¡±

    Dawn''s flare orb danced on the air currents with surprising agility for a Fire affinity orb. Tugging on his hoodie¡¯s string, he considered the four elements available to their races. If his Water affinity Rogue class enhanced the elemental water MadOrbz, then maybe he''d gain an edge against the competition.

    With a brief summoning of its core, sticky snot-like ooze coated his palm as the floating Slimer orb rolled over to reveal a large schnoz covered in green goo. ¡°Snot my problem¡­unless you want to boogie.¡± This time the orb¡¯s voice was all muffled like it had a mouth stuffed with cotton balls.

    A 30 second timer appeared on its slime covered forehead.

    [Frostbite Chill remains on deck.]

    A soft halo radiated below the frosty MadOrbz in waiting. It¡¯d be his last option if Slimer failed him.

    ¡°Time!¡± Calling this out wouldn¡¯t pause the gameplay for him to strategize but knowing the remaining time left in the tutorial round allowed him to optimize any strategy he¡¯d consider.

    [Time Remaining: 1¡¯ 37¡± MP: 86]

    Joe shuddered, even when he was a kid, he¡¯d never liked the sensation of slime oozing between his fingers. He did his best to ignore it as he timed his next launch. Activating Quick Wit, he scanned the other ascenders, searching for the perfect moment for a stealth attack.

    The elf whistled, and his cloudy orb, building in intensity, dove towards Brian. As it approached, TJ leapt forward, trying to intercept it with his earth orb, but it slipped from his muddy grasp. "Not on my watch."

    Joe took a deep breath as four orbs hurtled through the jungle canopy above. He couldn''t predict which would survive the impending collision. Suddenly, debris rained down around him. In the midst of the chaos, he released his Slimer orb, which plunged into the cloudy mass. Slime spewed into the air, but only the elf''s orb remained unfazed. The other three orbs spun in confusion, with five second countdown timers appearing above them.

    [Disrupted! Slimer 5¡± time debuff.]

    Despite its childish name, the elf¡¯s summoned orb, Huff-a-Puff, had a very effective disrupt ability. Somehow, it quickly recovered from the four orb collision and landed an attack on Joe¡¯s Slimer orb. Slimer returned to Joe''s hand, now with five stars hovering above like a knockout indicator, each slowly disappearing with the timed countdown.

    The elf''s laughter cut short when Dawn''s flare orb smashed his Huff-a-Puff orb into the boundary line. "I don¡¯t take sides with those who are weak and unworthy of giving their name," Dawn said with a smug expression as her orb returned to her.

    The elf lowered his head, seeming discouraged, and withdrew a mini-flute to play a sad tune.

    "Blasted!" Brian cursed, slamming his fist against his thigh. "I¡¯d have saved that one for last if I¡¯d known she had an orb like that."

    Joe shook his head, lost in his thoughts while the elf¡¯s haunting tune played softly in the background. It reminded him of the melody accompanying that French song about no regrets that his grandad used to play on vinyl. Glancing around, there seemed to be a common thread among the orbs in play¡ªeveryone seemed to have the same set of orbs, aligned with their elemental affinities. When making his own choice, the options given to him were all Water affinity orbs, fitting best with his Rogue class.

    As humans, Brian and TJ both had to have Earth affinity. If he remembered right, alchemists were an Earth aligned class¡ªit seemed to fit with the metallic orbs Brian held. TJ¡¯s orbs seemed to be all Earth aligned which meant his choice was less clear-cut as his orb decision could have been either race or class. Dawn, on the other hand, held Fire affinity orbs which had to be based on her class and not her race, as changeling¡¯s had Wind affinity. The elf used Wind based orbs and that meant it was most likely due to the fact he was a bard.

    ¡°Urrgghh!¡± Dawn¡¯s yell of frustration brought him back to the battlebox arena. ¡°You¡¯ll have regrets if you don¡¯t shut the hell up!¡±

    The elf¡¯s melody stopped as a MadOrbz appeared. He twirled the sky-blue, crystalline orb between his slender fingers, like Bowie in Labyrinth.

    Activating Quick Wit Joe noticed cloud-like whisps moving slowly inside the orb. It definitely seemed to match a wind affinity orb.

    Dawn launched her flare orb directly at the emo elf''s. As it soared, he blew a note into his mini-flute, sending his orb soaring high into the air. Her orb followed in a wide arc, but his plummeted like lead, forcing hers to ricochet off into the boundary line. A puff of crimson smoke erupted, mirroring the flush of anger on her face, as her part in the battle abruptly ended.

    Joe looked over at TJ and Brian, hoping they might understand what happened. Their shocked expressions and blank stares told him they were just as confused. Frowning, Joe realized how crucial the elemental affinities were if they matched each player¡¯s class or race. He remembered his friend Tao once explaining the elemental cycle of destruction, but the affinities at play here were different.

    "Poppy, is there an order of power with the four elemental affinities? If so, show me the order."

    The notification popped up in his HUD:

    [Elemental Insult Cycle: Water > Fire > Earth > Wind > Water]

    ¡°Make a note of this for later.¡±

    "No go, Joe." Poppy''s voice came through, softer than usual. "There¡¯s not a place here for notes, but you can buy a virtual notebook in the common room."

    ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll do that as soon as I get one.¡± He mulled over the cycle. It made sense now why the emo elf would likely lose to TJ or Brian¡ªWind is weak against Earth. The fact that the emo elf had lost so quickly to Dawn¡¯s fire orb earlier meant she must have had a particularly strong orb too.

    Suddenly, a chill spread over his hand. Joe looked down to see his Slimer orb fading away, now locked within his decagon.

    [Slimer MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Tutorial.]

    Realizing the thirty-second in-game timer had expired, Joe¡¯s shoulders tensed. He had only one more orb left to summon, and he needed to make it count.

    The elf pranced around with a cocky swagger as the swirling cloud orb danced on his fingertips. ¡°Sorry to disappoint you Dawn, my radiant flower, but that won¡¯t be happening in my lifetime. Bards do not have such regrets if others don¡¯t enjoy their music.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not your fucking flower, you dickbag.¡± Eyes bulging, Dawn dropped her chin and charged toward the elf.

    ¡°Time.¡± Joe knew better than to rush in and ¡®rescue¡¯ her in this situation. He was in no doubt that she¡¯d go through him for a short-cut, if he tried to intervene. Not a good idea, plus she was tough as nails and could handle herself. Taking advantage of the distraction, Joe waved TJ and Brian closer into a huddle.

    [Time Remaining: 54¡±, MP: 86]

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust that elf.¡± TJ¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    ¡°He is all shades of shifty.¡± Brian¡¯s expression darkened.

    Joe nodded and glanced back to the clash between Dawn and the elf, which had quickly escalated. The elf dodged with agility, his movements fluid and mocking, as he weaved through her strikes, his counterattacks swift but less forceful.

    Joe watched, weighing their strengths and weaknesses.¡°Dawn is strong, but she¡¯s now out of the battlebox game. If we work together, we can take out that elf before the end of the tutorial. I¡¯ve got a water affinity attack orb. Brian, I assume you and TJ both have earth orbs. We can beat the emo elf with consecutive strikes.¡±

    Brian shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve summoned all my orbs for the Battlebox.¡±

    A siren blared, and TJ covered his ears, still gripping his granite earth orb in one hand.

    The ceiling pulsed in red waves as an announcement echoed. ¡°Fight Tax. Tutorial mode deducts one percent of time currency from each ascender that is involved in the confrontation. Crystalline Jackpot grows by 4.25 years.¡±

    Dawn wiped the blood from her knuckles. ¡°You just cost me time, but every year I lost was worth it to wipe that smirk off your face.¡±

    Emo elf licked the blood from his lips. ¡°That tax was a mere slap on the hand for those with my ascender status of hundreds of years.¡±

    The elf¡¯s eyes darkened as he rolled his shoulders back, appearing much taller and menacing than before. Pressing his thin lips to his mini-flute, he exhaled a long breath. Joe¡¯s breath caught as the damn sneaky elf¡¯s swirling orb inflated like a balloon.

    ¡°What the hell.¡± TJ growled. ¡°It¡¯s damn near doubled in size compared to our orbs.¡±

    Joe shook off his surprise. ¡°I¡¯ll weaken his orb. Wait to strike, then knock him out.¡± Joe glanced from TJ to the final orb circling him. He summoned the halo lit orb, Frostbite Chill. The orb released a chilly breath, frosting up the air around it.

    ¡°Let¡¯s break the ice¡­with your face.¡±

    The threat in those words sliced through Joe, sharp and jagged as broken glass.

    ¡°I hope that¡¯s aimed for the other orb.¡± Joe glanced up from the frigid blue face of his last orb and launched Frostbite Chill with a flick of his wrist. His aim was dead-on, catching the elf off-guard.

    The elf scrambled, catching his oversized orb with two hands and slinging it back into Joe¡¯s like a ping-pong match. The impact forced Frostbite Chill to expel a frosty cough, dropping its HP by 20.

    ¡°Shit.¡± Joe sidestepped to rescue his orb from the oblivion of the boundary line.

    Meanwhile, TJ¡¯s granite orb tore through the air, clipping the elf¡¯s orb and sending it into a dizzying spin. Even with a graze, the elf¡¯s grimace made it clear TJ¡¯s Earth affinity orb had landed a direct insult against the elf¡¯s Wind affinity orb.

    The elf sprinted away as if fleeing but Joe knew it was a ruse to put some distance between them and buy him time to regain control. Joe wasn¡¯t about to let that happen. He lobbed Frostbite Chill again, aiming to give TJ a window for another strike.

    The frosty orb smashed into the elf¡¯s, knocking it further away.

    Joe shot TJ a look and he took that as his cue to send his granite orb, hammering into the opposite side, forcing the elf into a desperate leap to catch his inflated orb.

    With frightening speed, the elf spun around and returned fire, his orb colliding into Joes and sending it crashing against the boundary line where it disappeared in a poof of blue smoke.

    Joe¡¯s face fell.

    NO!

    [Frostbite Chill MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Tutorial.]

    Joe shrugged off his bitter disappointment to spur on his pals before it was too late.

    ¡°It¡¯s up to you to finish him, TJ!¡± Joe yelled, now an observer of the final battle.

    TJ gave him a sharp nod, his eyes blazing with a fierce hunger for victory.

    A blur of granite shot past Joe, its jagged edges whirring like a buzzsaw. The orb, spinning with the ferocity of a Sonic the Hedgehog attack, drove the elf¡¯s unusually large cloud orb toward the boundary.

    Joe held his breath, while Brian and Dawn crowded him from both sides, their bodies tense with anticipation.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Brian cheered, bouncing on the balls of his feet as if the vibrations could propel TJ''s orb faster.

    Dawn clenched her fist and shook it in the air. ¡°Go for it, Wonderboy! You have him by the short and curlies!¡±

    For a breathless moment, everything seemed to slow down. TJ¡¯s granite orb spun with a powerful thrust, pressing the much larger, bloated cloud orb ever closer to the boundary. The wind orb held ground within a whisker of the boundary. It was annoyingly resilient to insult by Earth.

    ¡°Come on, come on, TJ¡± Joe muttered through clenched teeth, ¡°just a little further¡­¡± his eyes locked on the swirling confrontation.

    The deadlock shifted abruptly as the wind orb, gathering a sudden burst of speed, dipped and swerved, escaping the granite orb''s final push.

    The elf¡¯s laughter took them all by surprise. Joe gasped as TJ¡¯s orb vaporized into a puff of orange against the boundary, signaling the end of their chances.

    The elf shook his head, tsking, his MadOrbz jolting back inside his decagon. Party horns blared and confetti rained down on the elf.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way that inflated thing was still a starter orb.¡± Joe twisted the string of his hoodie, trying to hide his annoyance.

    ¡°No?¡± The emo elf flicked confetti off his shoulder with a smug grin. ¡°It''s a starter orb called Zephyr.¡±

    An announcement echoed in the arena.

    [Battlebox Winner: Ascender 297, granted the prize pool of 5 years, now known as Ascender 302. Fifty mana particles awarded. One more step closer to the Crystalline Jackpot of immortality.]

    The battlebox boundary line flickered out, revealing the dense jungle once again.

    Dawn brushed past the still-smiling elf, her irritation clear. "I don¡¯t have time to waste watching a no-name show off."

    The elf, all charm and smirk, took a theatrical bow. "My apologies. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I¡¯m Andras Lyranth, former heir of the Etheria Empire, at your service with only the finest in battlebox drama where the winner, yours truly, takes it all."

    "What in the world was that?" Brian stood there, stroking his goatee.

    TJ crossed his arms, muscles bulging with barely suppressed fury. "We¡¯ve been played."

    Joe leaned in, lowering his voice for only his pals to hear. "Yeah. Played like a cheap kazoo, sure, but mark my words, that¡¯s the last time he tunes us up. Next time, we crank up our own music, and it¡¯ll be metal as fuck."

 Chapter 7: Half-Empty or Half-Full

    Joe replayed the final battle in his mind, exhaling a heavy sigh. A quick glance at his stats confirmed the expected drop in his ascender number. It wasn¡¯t all doom and gloom, though. He snagged some sweet points in dexterity, intelligence, and charisma. Those gains took the edge off¡ªnot just the ache of losing a whole year of time currency, but also the fact that he¡¯d been outsmarted by that damned trickster elf. Dawn and TJ''s frustrations echoed his, their complaints rising in the background, mingling with the jungle''s eerie whispers.

    Itching to move on and explore, Joe pushed his frustrations aside. ¡°How about we see where Lucky went?¡± He¡¯d seemed nice, if a little naive and before the tutorial ended, Joe wanted to make sure the little guy was alright.

    Andras cocked a pointy ear in Joe¡¯s direction but his dark eyes and pale hands were all over the rack of MadOrbz like a nasty rash. ¡°Ratfolk, like most vermin, are sturdier than they look. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s fine.¡±

    Dawn and TJ glared daggers at Andras. His smug grin really got under Joe¡¯s skin.

    "You must be real proud of yourself, you cheating prick." Dawn clenched her fists.

    TJ squared off against him, his neck veins bulging like steel cables. His voice was a low growl, edged with menace. "Better watch your back. You ever try to play me again, I¡¯ll break it and your little magic flute too.¡±

    Andras laughed, his arrogance unshaken by TJ¡¯s threat. "The system had no problems with how I competed in the Battlebox. You''re only a sore loser."

    TJ surged forward, his muscles tense with anger, but Joe shared a look with Brian who stepped between them, his voice firm. "Leave him be. No fighting between ascenders. You don''t want to be penalized any more time currency. Every dog has his day."

    "Some dogs need to learn a lesson the hard way." The warmth from TJ¡¯s exhaled breath matched his angered aura, his eyes fixed on the elf who didn¡¯t so much as flinch.

    Dawn frowned. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of this shit-show. Leave the sodding pointy-eared prick to fondle his shiny little balls.¡± She stormed off through the foliage.

    ¡°Come on,¡± Joe motioned to TJ and Brian. Andras¡¯ smile vanished, but he made no move to follow them as they went after Dawn.

    TJ led the way, slashing through the dense undergrowth with his BK machete. With every swing, he cursed the thick vines, leaves, and their ancestors back to the tenth generation. Raising a fist, TJ shot them a look over his shoulder, then side-stepped to reveal Dawn standing further ahead in a small clearing. Looking up at the purple canopy, she held her palm out as if expecting rain.

    Activating Quick Wit, Joe sharpened his focus. Fat colored droplets splattered against the ice-blue shimmer of her skin.

    Click. Click. Click.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like the sound of that.¡± Brian¡¯s shoulders tensed. By the look on Dawn¡¯s face, neither did she. Her hands glowed white with a smoky haze trailing her form as she took on a defensive fighting stance.

    A shadow of movement alerted Joe to the danger as the canopy of thick leaves above Dawn split apart.

    A rainbow blur burst forth.

    Pushing his skill to its limit rewarded Joe with the ability to track the movement of what looked like a rainbow beetle bug, the size of a large house cat. Its six black legs splayed wide and jagged mandibles gnashed as it dove towards Dawn.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Joe yelled pointing above the changeling.

    Whether TJ or Brian could see it or not, Joe¡¯s warning spurred them into action.

    TJ hacked away any foliage that blocked their way while Brian stomped the fallen remains underfoot. Joe sped forward, leaping past them as the killer bug closed in on Dawn. As if sensing the heat from her hands, the bug flicked open its wings and veered right, aiming to circle around Dawn and bite her from behind.

    ¡°Dawn, to your right. NOW!¡± Joe called out.

    Wide eyed, Dawn blindly lashed out and caught the bug on its side, sending it crashing to the ground. TJ and Brian followed Joe¡¯s gaze to where the critter had fallen. Wings buzzing out of its hard shell, black hairy legs skittering in a frenzy as it tried to upright itself.

    "Brian, smash!" Joe shouted. That was all it took to rally the big guy.

    With surprising speed, Brian barrelled past Dawn and stomped the bug. The splash back took them all by surprise. Thick orange goo spurted in all directions. Joe ducked as a glistening orange blob hurdled towards him.

    Splat!

    A snort of disgust echoed behind him.

    Tensing, Joe looked over his shoulder to find Andras wiping bug guts from his face. Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed on the elf, whose dark features seemed to devour the dim light streaming through the canopy. An icy chill ran through Joe under Andras¡¯ cold sneer.

    The bastard was following us the whole time and we¡¯d no idea.

    Joe had played as a Night Elf before and recalled the stealth advantage he¡¯d had playing as a Rogue. It made him wonder why Andras chose Bard class but he had a sinking feeling it was all part of some grand master plan.

    A bright smile softened the hard lines on his face. For a moment, it was infectious, kind of like an STD.

    ¡°I must apologize. I think we all got off on the wrong foot. Where I came from, competition was fierce and misdirection was encouraged¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah right.¡± TJ was the first to shake off the charismatic influence of Andras¡¯ smile. ¡°I can see right through that creepy smile charm, ya lousy dirt-bird. Bet you realized a low-level Bard wandering out here all alone will make you as popular with the local monsters as a pot of ¡®Love Me¡¯ lube is in a goblin sex dungeon.¡±

    Joe shared a mixed look of shock and awe with Brian.

    ¡°Damn right, TJ.¡± Shifting his gaze to Andras, Joe straightened to make himself feel taller. ¡°I¡¯ve met your kind before. Letting us do all the hard work while you hitch a free ride.¡±

    Nodding, Brian crossed his arms.

    Andras¡¯ smile faded. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you feel that way. I assure you that is not my intention. Your performance on this tutorial floor was almost as impressive as my changeling companion.¡±

    Why the hell¡¯s he buttering me up? Then the answer struck Joe like a bolt of lightning. Must have been watching my every move during that bug battle. I bet he¡¯s forming a faction of his own.

    Joe turned to Dawn to see why she hadn¡¯t railed on the elf yet.

    Dawn stood motionless, her gaze fixed on the remains of the crushed beetle at her feet, its insides oozing across the leaf-strewn forest floor. Joe tilted his head, curious. Her hands, still radiating with a white-hot glow, lighting the dim underbrush around her.

    ¡°You ok?¡± asked Joe, swiping away a level up notification.

    There was a distant look in her eyes before she answered him. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Are you¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± She crouched down and placed her hands in the thick orange slime. The sizzling goop reformed into a crystalline substance on the forest floor. She scooped it up and tucked the now cool, amber-like item into her inventory with a satisfied smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before its six-legged brothers and sisters arrive for an all-you-can-eat-buffet.¡±

    Joe thought moving on was an excellent idea. Given the blinding speed of the bug''s attack, Joe knew if it wasn¡¯t for his Quick Wit skill, they¡¯d have been in serious trouble. You can¡¯t hit what you can¡¯t see.

    Nods of agreement rippled through the group. Andras'' nod didn''t go unnoticed.

    TJ shot a wary glance at the elf, his warning clear and sharp. "Keep your distance. If I so as much catch a whiff of you sneaking up behind us..." He gestured towards Brian, his smile taking on a menacing edge, "he¡¯ll flatten you."

    Brian raised a brow but didn¡¯t disagree.

    TJ raised his machete with a gleam of admiration in his eyes. "Let''s get to work, BK." He strode forward, slashing through the tangled vines and dense jungle foliage that blocked their path. Joe and Brian followed closely, flanking Dawn while Andras lagged behind.

    "Everyone stay sharp." Joe kept his voice low knowing it was likely that the elf was eavesdropping from behind. Concerned about his mana usage, Joe used his Quick Wit ability sparingly. It wasn''t long before TJ''s relentless hacking paid off, and they emerged into a much larger clearing.

    At its center stood a monstrous plant, a nightmarish mutation of a Venus flytrap, towering as tall as a giraffe. Reactivating Quick Wit, Joe allowed his gaze to travel slowly up its thorny stem, which was slick with glistening sap.

    As his eyes reached the apex of the killer plant, Joe¡¯s eyes widened in alarm.

    ¡°Hells bells, is that Lucky?¡± Joe pointed to two furry legs absurdly sticking out of the giant plant¡¯s maw. Its patchy multi-green colored lips glistened with a viscous slime.

    Dawn sprinted forward, her boots thudding against the soft earth as she reached the killer plant. She leapt up and grabbed the ratfolk¡¯s furry legs and pulled with all her might, but the flytrap held firm. Frustrated, she pounded her fists against its thick slimy hide. ¡°Open up, you giant piece of shit!¡±

    The giant plant¡¯s stem bowed, lowering its head closer to the ground. Two dark, veiny leaves unfurled from its thorny stem like sinister arms. From its sealed lips, Lucky¡¯s legs dangled lifelessly, like a rag doll.

    Joe sprinted over, grasping Lucky¡¯s calves. Dawn reached up again, the thunk of her belt and a sheathed weapon bumping into the plant¡¯s side. Her hand slid down and as she drew the blade, a shimmering defensive aura enveloped the plant. Snakelike vines, tipped with thorns, lashed out in aggressive whiplike strikes.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Brian''s warning shook the leaves from the trees. He dove forward, his massive body a blur as he landed on a vine. The ground vibrated under his weight as his boot ground it into the dirt until it lay limp and defeated.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    Joe and Dawn leapt aside, narrowly avoiding another set of erupting vines whipping towards them. TJ rushed in and hacked the vines to pieces.

    Andras, watched from a short distance, his face a mask of cold detachment.

    ¡°Hey Andras.¡± Dawn threw the Dark Elf a filthy look. ¡°Stop standing there with your balls retracted and DO something.¡±

    ¡°Let me think about it.¡± Andras¡¯ tone was filled with dark amusement.

    TJ clenched his jaw. ¡°When I¡¯m done with this overgrown plant, I¡¯ll rip that cheating elf a new asshole.¡±

    ¡°Keep your cool man, we¡¯ve a long way to go. He¡¯s not worth it.¡± The last thing TJ needed was a time penalty after a hot-headed attack. With a lot less time currency than the elf, TJ had much more to lose. As much as Joe hated to admit it, the elf had a point. The system had allowed him the win in the Battlebox.

    TJ didn¡¯t look convinced.

    ¡°Until we know more about what he and this system is capable of, it¡¯s best not to stir things up. Look at what happened to poor Lucky. All he did was explore.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hands flared like a torch, blistering the vine until it recoiled from her thigh like a snake hit with a rock. "Lucky should definitely rethink his nickname."

    Andras laughed.

    A spiked vine exploded from the ground at his feet, forcing him to stagger back. His brows snapped together, skin bled to white giving him a gaunt appearance. The small flute he¡¯d used to help him win the Battlebox challenge suddenly appeared in his pale hand.

    Brian grunted as he tore through another vine trying to ensnare his ankles, the large thorns drawing blood from his palms. The ground trembled, kicking up clouds of dust and debris, shrouding everything in a murky haze.

    Suddenly, Joe felt a sharp pain in his ankle, and then he was yanked off his feet. He hit the ground hard but, thanks to his defensive weave granting him a five percent resistance to damage, the pain was more startling than severe.

    Joe whipped out his butterfly knife and jabbed at the vine, but it was like trying to puncture a rubber tire with a toothpick. Then, an airy tune began to play, swelling in volume with each note. The sound burrowed into Joe''s head, so piercing the needle pricks hit his teeth. Covering his ears was useless. The relentless melody climaxed in a deafening crescendo. The plant shuddered, thrashing its mouth side to side before its attack abruptly came to a stop and lifeless vines thudded onto the ground.

    TJ, Dawn, and Brian freed themselves from the vines, and set about tearing them apart, their combined vicious attacks turning the plant''s appendages into mulch.

    Breathing heavily, Joe pushed himself to his feet, and they all quickly put some distance between themselves and the now deadened plant, ensuring it wouldn''t go full aggro on them again.

    By saving himself, Andras had saved them all.

    ¡°Poor Lucky.¡± Brian shook his head with dismay.

    ¡°If he used his respawn token, maybe we¡¯ll see him again.¡± Joe recalled his own blue phoenix respawn token in his inventory. As he mentioned the coin, what remained of Lucky vanished in a rainbow sparkle of digital particles.

    Joe pulled up his inventory, checking to see if he could learn more information about the token. His brows raised as more stats populated in the blue box, along with a couple of notifications.

    Ascender #: 79

    Race: Human

    Class: Rogue

    QRL: Bronze Rank, QRL 3

    Ascender Status: Orange

    Health Points (HP): 26/30

    Mana Particles (MP): 80/112

    Stamina: 29/30

    [Level gained! You have reached Quantum Resonance Level 3, Bronze Rank Ascender.]

    [Two unassigned flex points remain; expires in 24 hours.]

    [Eternal Honor achieved: Tracker.]

    Joe smiled with the gains he¡¯d made during the tutorial. He groaned, seeing the hit his mana took, which he assumed had been due to summoning the three MadOrbz and activating Quick Wit.

    Mentally dismissing the notifications like he could with his AI Butler, he scanned the other tabs labeled attributes, skills, clothing, and lastly, he accessed his inventory.

    Inventory:

    <ul>

    <li>Seaweed Snack</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Backpack</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Respawn Token</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Decagon</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Butterfly Knives</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Paracord</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Smoke Pellets</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>-</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>-</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>-</li>

    </ul>

    There, the respawn token glistened sky blue, its phoenix emblem shifting like a holographic image. The expanded information remained the same: allows user to respawn inside the tower. That didn¡¯t seem consistent with what Poppy mentioned about aging a year if it was used.

    As Joe examined his inventory, his curiosity piqued about the Quantum Resonance Level or QRL mentioned in his notification and stats. He glanced around, contemplating whether to ask the group or consult Poppy for more information.

    ¡°Hey guys, have any of you heard of this QRL thing?¡±

    Simultaneously with his question, Joe¡¯s gray hoodie, cargo pants, and boots shifted to a vibrant orange. ¡°What the¡ª¡± he started, surprised by the sudden change.

    Around them, others reacted with similar surprise.

    ¡°Ah, what a wonderful day filled with carnage to brighten my mood.¡± A raspy voice echoed as thin screens emerged from the tree trunks, the Lich nodding his head with a smug grin plastered on his skeletal face. ¡°The color of your outfits determines your common room access. Obviously, green is for the highest ranked ascenders¡ªthey¡¯re most likely to reach the crystalline jackpot of immortality. Those of you dressed in green have access to the elite Green Zone common room. Poppy, care to enlighten them on the other two color-coded ascender statuses?¡±

    The little kaiju avatar plunged onto the screen, her tail swishing with excitement. ¡°Yip-yip! Do not fear if you¡¯re orange, you okay. You in the mid percentile range, have access to Orange Zone only.¡± Her voice softened. ¡°Dressed in red. Red zone only. Beware, Beware. Take Care¡­or you die fast. Much risk for ejection from the tower. For you, any floor your time could run out.¡±

    The Lich chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t scare them Poppy, it¡¯s been ages since anyone¡¯s been ejected on the first floor. Proceed to your zones for a final debriefing.¡±

    The screens faded, morphing back inside the tree''s bark.

    Looking across the clearing, people emerged from Battleboxes¡ªsome smiling in green outfits, others fretting with worry in orange and red clothing. The victorious, mostly elves who started off with three hundred years, were clearly favored by the system. Unsurprisingly, no ratfolk wore green. Even if they happened to win their Battlebox challenge against four other competitors, the maximum ascender number they could reach was 25 years.

    Joe''s eyes met Brian and TJ¡¯s; both were now clad in orange. Brian appeared unfazed, while TJ looked down at his clothes in disgust. ¡°Fucking orange,¡± he said under his breath, glaring at his outfit as if it had personally offended him. ¡°I hate fucking orange.¡±

    Brian¡¯s smile widened into a grin. ¡°I don¡¯t know, it really brings out the color of your eyes.¡±

    ¡°Shut it, big guy.¡± TJ raised his hand. ¡°If I was looking for fashion advice, I¡¯d beat it out of you.¡±

    ¡°I heard someone say orange is the new black,¡± Joe said, attempting to lighten the mood.

    Only Dawn smirked, while the others didn¡¯t seem to catch the reference.

    ¡°Orange is far from black. Are you colorblind?¡± Brian laughed.

    ¡°Back when I was a Kobold, I had a friend who was colorblind. He couldn¡¯t tell the difference between yellow and white. No matter how many times I warned him, the damn fool ate the yellow snow every time.¡± TJ¡¯s hearty chuckle eased the tense situation a bit more.

    Joe smiled. ¡°Maybe he actually enjoyed its taste.¡±

    TJ narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re one of those optimistic guys, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    That joyful moment was short-lived when Andras Lyranth walked up to Dawn. ¡°You should join me in the winner¡¯s circle. Don¡¯t waste your time with these low-level ascenders.¡±

    She forced a smile. ¡°I¡¯d rather chew glass than hang out with you.¡±

    ¡°Suit yourself.¡± He tipped his chin up, black hair still covering one eye as his gaze shifted to everyone else in their group. ¡°Enjoy your accommodations in the orange and red zones.¡±

    Dawn didn''t miss a beat. ¡°Oh, I will. At least they don''t talk out of their asses.¡±

    She rolled her eyes as he turned, whistling a tune as he sauntered away. ¡°When do we get to select our orbs and fight another Battlebox?¡±

    A hollow metal clang resonated as Joe tapped his decagon. ¡°Are these MadOrbz only for use in the Battlebox, or¡­¡± Joe paused, ¡°Poppy, can these orbs be used when we ascend the floors?¡±

    ¡°No Joe. Two different things. The MadOrbz remain in your decagon. Used only during Battleboxes. Very important for time. Currency, Joe, your life. Only run by ascenders to win.¡±

    A flickering glow pulsed above their heads, ash-colored arrows directed them to the farther side of the tutorial area.

    ¡°Time again! Follow the arrows to your zone. Red go red. Orange go orange. Green go green.¡±

    Joe furrowed his brows. ¡°But there''s only one door.¡±

    ¡°One door for them all. You see Joe. Zoom-zoom, fun!¡±

    Throngs of ascenders in colored hooded sweat suits merged together, moving toward the single door. The tower walls, the only barrier, kept them corralled like cattle. Joe scratched the back of his head as he observed the surroundings. Amongst the jungle trees, the tower walls pulsed in rhythmic waves toward the large door.

    ¡°Poppy, can you give me information on the tower itself? If it were jungle-themed, I¡¯d expect it to be covered in moss, but it¡¯s red and veiny.¡±

    ¡°You are still a Bronze Ascender. Monsters lurk there. Can smell you. Go through the door. Safe-safe. I tell you inside.¡±

    As they stepped closer, a thin-bodied ratfolk emerged from the door and started stripping off his red hoodie and pants.

    ¡°Whoa there!¡± Brian¡¯s thundering voice caused him to pause. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that type of party in there, is it?¡±

    The ratfolk wiped his nose before slipping off the last of his pants legs. ¡°Party? I¡¯m going to check out the green zone. The red zone is shit on food and sleeping quarters.¡± His tail curled behind him as he stepped over the pile of red clothes, disappearing through the ashen door.

    Joe waved to Dawn. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re in luck to be heading to the green zone.¡±

    As she stepped forward, the naked rat stumbled out, cursing under his breath. He picked up his pile of clothes.

    ¡°Too cold in the green zone?¡± TJ asked, elbowing Joe¡¯s side.

    ¡°It didn¡¯t matter. The system already flagged me as red.¡± He shoved past the dwindling line. ¡°I¡¯m going to search for some decent grub out here before returning to that slop.¡±

    ¡°Watch out for the plants; they¡¯ll eat you alive.¡± Brian¡¯s whispering voice still seemed to shake the trees.

    TJ shook his head. ¡°Poor Lucky¡­he didn¡¯t even last a day.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? I¡¯m right here.¡± Lucky stepped out of the ashen doorway.

    ¡°Lucky! Where did you go?¡± asked Joe.

    ¡°I needed to return to the tutorial room.¡±

    ¡°But you died.¡± TJ crossed his arms, his raised brow emitted skepticism.

    ¡°Eaten alive!¡± Brian¡¯s voice boomed.

    Lucky nodded. ¡°It was not a nice experience, that I can say.¡± He looked down, patting himself. ¡°I¡¯ve aged a year but it seems I¡¯m okay now. I agree with that guy, it¡¯s not fun being in the red zone, but maybe I¡¯ll get lucky and find some time crystals. I heard there¡¯s some scattered about the tutorial floor like when we enter the tower floors.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a racial trait like Scavenger¡¯s Luck for finding items easier?¡± asked Joe, thinking about specialty traits that might be available with Lucky¡¯s race or class. There¡¯d been some games where certain traits helped them scavenge and gather rare items¡ªtime crystals seemed to be one of those findings.

    ¡°That¡¯s not important.¡± Dawn gestured with both hands at Lucky¡¯s body. ¡°How are you even standing here?¡±

    Lucky shrugged. ¡°We have respawn tokens.¡±

    ¡°Those seem very handy.¡± Brian nodded, rubbing his chin. ¡°So it¡¯s true then. Every time you die you can respawn.¡±

    Dawn pulled her red hair back into a ponytail. ¡°There has to be a catch; there¡¯s always a catch. And as for those time crystals, you won¡¯t find any if you let yourself get eaten again out here on your own.¡±

    TJ chuckled. ¡°Oh lighten up!¡± You really are a glass half-empty changeling, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Be careful out there.¡± Joe nodded to Lucky. Even if he agreed with Dawn, he wasn¡¯t about to fan the flames to her fiery outburst. He planned to ask Poppy more about the blue phoenix token and if it really remained with you for respawning.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re finally using that brain of yours.¡± A deep voice groaned within, Joe¡¯s chest heating from the inside, the familiar flicker of the blue flame evident. ¡°Trust your instincts. If something is too good to be true, it usually is.¡±

    Joe gripped his chest like he¡¯d tried to calm heartburn as the voice continued, its flame glowing bright. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m the exception.¡±

    He glanced around, but no one else seemed to notice the voice.

    With a sigh, Dawn swept a stray strand of hair out of her eye. ¡°Catch you later Wonderboy. I¡¯m off to the Green Zone to piss in that emo elf bard¡¯s tea.¡±

    As the changeling walked through the doorway, Joe rubbed his chest, the remaining voice silent. ¡°She¡¯s got more guts than a butcher¡¯s shop¡­glad she¡¯s on our side.¡±

    TJ nodded. ¡°I changed my mind. I like her.¡±

    The wall near the door pulsed, bubbling in and out along with rhythmic whooshing as ascenders crossed the threshold of the door.

    Joe took a deep breath. ¡°We¡¯ve all taken a hit in the Battlebox. Time to go into the Orange Zone. Let¡¯s learn everything we can so we can level up fast and become masters of our fate.¡±

 Chapter 8: Blue in the Face

    Stepping across the threshold, a burst of cool, musty air enveloped Joe, carrying the smell of what he imagined old pirate ships would be like¡ª a blend of salty sea spray, weathered wood, and ancient, damp rope. Flickering light from bioluminescent patches on the ceiling cast ghostly shadows around him, highlighting the pulsing veins on the walls.

    Like the induction room, his boots squished with each step, as though he were walking on a wet sponge. Scattered around him were seats and tables that looked like they were gouged out of sea monster carcasses¡ªchairs and tables carved from bones, scales, and teeth, looking like they were waiting to snap at him rather than offer a comfy seat. "Guess it''s BYOB¡ªbring your own bedroll." Joe joked to himself as he eyed a particularly spiny chair.

    Breathing in the damp, earthy air, Joe couldn''t help but feel a bit like he had been swallowed by some ancient creature.

    Moving further into the common room, Joe¡¯s attention shifted from the living, breathing walls to the high-tech setup nestled within the kaiju-crafted common room. The system tech was so seamlessly integrated that it almost felt like stepping into a scene from a Borg collective fever dream. Consoles and screens sprouted from the fibrous walls like electronic fungi, their sleek metal surfaces and blinking lights creating a stark contrast with the organic materials around them.

    He walked towards the nearest console, which looked like it had grown right out of the ground. The screen flickered to life as he approached, sensing his presence. Poppy appeared and danced across the display with hyper enthusiasm. Buttons and touchpads embedded in the walls pulsed with a soft light, inviting Joe to press them.

    "Hey Poppy, great to see you, want to give me and my pals the grand tour?" Joe ran his fingers over a touchpad, and the screen to his right lit up, displaying maps of the areas inside the tower that adjoined the orange zone. It was all there¡ªtopographical layouts, environmental conditions, creature sightings on each floor¡ªall updated in real time.

    Above one of the consoles, a larger screen played a loop of previous Battlebox challengers, showing ascenders flinging their MadOrbz at each other with varying degrees of success. The footage was crystal clear, making it feel as if the battles were unfolding just beyond the walls.

    ¡°Woohoo!¡± TJ¡¯s voice snapped Joe¡¯s gaze to a nearby screen. The kobold turned human grabbed Brian¡¯s arm while pointing at the screen, showing clips from their Battlebox challenge. ¡°We look badass!¡±

    Joe smiled and glanced around, taking in how others interacted with the technology. Some ascenders were deeply engrossed in planning their routes, tapping away at the screens, while others gathered around a large table display, animatedly discussing their strategies.

    TJ sniffed the air. ¡°It smells worse than a dragon¡¯s sweaty ball sac in here. I bet they¡¯re living the life with fancy food and fine sleeping quarters in the green zone.¡±

    ¡°Food not yucky here. See-see over there.¡± Poppy showed them where they could get food and what their sleeping quarters were like, before TJ¡¯s patience dwindled. ¡°Rest is a must if mana too low. If no sleep, mana take longer to restore. Green zone special, there mana-enriched foods. Want to sleep now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve no time to rest. I want to bust some balls and level up.¡±

    ¡°Hey! Poppy likes Joe so much!¡± Her eyes grew bigger and almost sparkled. ¡°Want to be the first to see the super fun-fun Hall of Fame?¡±

    Joe¡¯s smile turned into a grin. ¡°You bet. Lead the way.¡±

    ***

    Joe never thought of himself as the poster boy for tough guys, and while he wasn''t exactly towering above his friends back home, he felt reasonably average¡ªuntil he walked alongside TJ and Brian. Now, trudging through the vast corridors of the tower, he felt like a Fraggle lost in Manhattan.

    This is fine. I¡¯m fine. Everything is just¡­peachy¡­He sucked in a calming breath, trying not to picture himself as a cartoon meme.

    Think of something else¡­anything else. He desperately wanted to keep the claustrophobia away. Yeah, I¡¯m just like one of those characters in the stories I read, and at least I didn¡¯t get isekai¡¯d into the body of an ant. Not that the main character, Anthony, let that get him down. It was part of the reason Joe loved that story. He didn¡¯t let size stop him. He grew, evolved, and wore a grin¡ªor whatever passed for a grin on an ant''s mandibled mug. Be like Anthony.

    Joe laughed.

    That¡¯s more like it.

    Humor was Joe''s life raft. It had buoyed him through dark times, like those long nights with his sister when she was sick, laughing at horror comedies with granddad to keep the shadows at bay.

    ¡°This place is a maze.¡± Brian¡¯s fingers skimmed along the rippling walls, eyes lighting up with childlike glee. ¡°I like it; it reminds me of the mining caverns back home.¡±

    Sandwiched between Big and Bigger, Joe couldn¡¯t muster the same enthusiasm. Though he wasn¡¯t the most outdoorsy guy¡ªhappy to spend days cooped up gaming with Tao and Kyle¡ªhe appreciated the freedom to stretch his legs without bumping into walls cobbled together from reanimated kaiju parts or his new pals.

    ¡°Reminds me of home too,¡± TJ grumbled, his voice flat as old soda. ¡°How much further?¡±

    Joe sighed. This must''ve been the twentieth time TJ had asked. Poppy''s answer was always a chipper, ¡°Coming around the next bend!¡±

    Except that next bend stretched into oblivion. ¡°Feels like we''re on the scenic route.¡± Brian chuckled, holding his hand to his head as he scanned the area.

    TJ huffed but bit back a reply.

    Minutes dragged on, and Joe wondered if they were walking in circles. His thoughts drifted to the map in the common room, a sprawling network of tunnels like the circulatory system of a brain. Back in the orange zone common room Poppy had whisked them past the galley-like area, pointing out food stations and bunk beds set into the walls like something out of an old spaceship movie.

    Brian eyed the sleeping arrangements with skepticism. ¡°Maybe I should crash on the floor.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll sleep when I¡¯m dead,¡± TJ said, then paused, scratching his head. ¡°Oh wait, been there, done that.¡±

    ¡°Better not on the floor,¡± said Poppy. ¡°You wake up. Shoes gone.¡±

    ¡°Shoe thieves here?¡± Brian raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Poppy not know, but they steal time, so always pay attention. Poppy talking about the tunnel dwellers. They take things when you not looking.¡±

    Don¡¯t fall asleep. Don¡¯t. Fall. Asleep. The whisper was so faint, Joe almost missed it¡ªuntil he caught Brian''s suddenly pale face.

    ¡°You heard that too?¡±

    Inhaling, Brian nodded slow and steady with widened eyes. TJ''s eyes darted, searching shadows.

    ¡°Yip-Yip. Good advice.¡± Poppy¡¯s bubbly voice cut through their growing dread.

    ¡°Who said that?¡± Joe glanced around.

    ¡°Look-look, pay no mind to the voice.¡±

    The wall to their right began to glow, revealing what looked like a giant heart valve straight out of a steampunk nightmare. Joe half expected to tumble into a scene from Innerspace meets Journey to the Center of the Earth¡ªthe kaiju edition.

    ¡°Open-open, fun times ahead! You look, you see, you learn! Ready to meet my big brothers and sisters?¡± Poppy trilled, her excitement bubbling over.

    Joe hesitated to place his hand on the entrance. ¡°There¡¯s titans inside, isn¡¯t there?¡±

    ¡°That will be so cool.¡± TJ nudged him forward, excitement bleeding through his usual gruff.

    ¡°Yip-yip!¡± Poppy squeaked. ¡°Super exciting! You meet the Avatar of Greensnare, Guardian of the first floor.¡±¡±

    Relieved it was only an avatar and not the Real McCoy, Joe pressed his hand against the entrance. A menu popped up:

    [Welcome Ascender 79. Enter the Titan Hall of Fame? Yes/No]

    As they crossed the threshold, Joe¡¯s eyes widened, barely registering Brian and TJ¡¯s gasps at the sheer vastness of the hall. It resembled a huge warehouse, but instead of wooden or cardboard crates, there were transparent boxes of varying shapes and sizes. Each box contained silhouetted forms with question marks floating above them, like a character waiting to be unlocked in a video game.

    ¡°Somebody care to explain what I¡¯m looking at?¡± Brian¡¯s voice echoed, small and dwarfed by the enormity of the nearest container.

    Side by side, they approached the first box. Joe¡¯s gaze trailed up the massive, shimmering green behemoth floating in suspended animation within. It looked like Godzilla had a lovechild with Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors.

    ¡°Poppy?¡± Joe¡¯s voice cracked, hundreds of questions tumbling in his mind, but only one word made it out.

    ¡°Meet Greensnare Guardian.¡± Poppy¡¯s voice resounded with a metallic ring, the kaiju oblivious to Joe¡¯s internal meltdown.

    Brian glanced back at the rows of crates. ¡°Why¡¯s this one all by itself?¡±

    ¡°Here, check your stats. Identify at QRL 3. Newbies get a sneak peek¡ªfull glory of Greensnare Guardian without risk of first-floor boss battle.¡± Poppy¡¯s tone suggested she thought this was a tremendous favor.

    Brian¡¯s eyes lit up with a mix of awe and calculation. ¡°How thoughtful. We get a preview to boost our chances of not dying a horrific death on the first floor.¡±

    TJ snorted. ¡°Improves our odds by what, one percent?¡±

    ¡°That one percent might be the fine line between another death and staying alive.¡± Joe forced a confident smile. ¡°I¡¯ll take every advantage I can get to increase our chances of survival.¡±

    Brian nodded. ¡°Dying once was quite enough, thank you very much.¡±

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°I hear you.¡± TJ crossed his arms, staring in defiance at Greensnare¡¯s monstrous form. ¡°On that, we¡¯re on the same page.¡±

    Greensnare¡¯s a beast, easily the size of a Volkswagen Beetle.

    Not only was it huge, but he had a sinking feeling it also had impressive stats for a floor one boss. That made Joe wonder what other dangerous creatures they¡¯d face before they reached Greensnare. Joe swallowed back his rising fear before it emerged full-blown like a titan from the deep. "When we¡¯re out on the floor, can we use the identify skill?"

    "Depends on your QRL level," said Poppy with her usual chirpiness.

    "Our Quantum Resonance Level, right?¡± Joe asked. ¡°Makes sense¡ªthen our mana manipulation and control should improve as our level increases. Can those at higher levels than us hide their stats from us?"

    "You only see your own stats, but monsters within your QRL range you can identify," said Poppy.

    "How do we do that?" asked Brian.

    "Look-look at the monster. Think ''identify.'' That¡¯s it. Try now on Greensnare."

    TJ cracked his knuckles as if he were about to enter the ring with the titan. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Brian eyed him with an amused smile, clearly entertained by TJ''s readiness for battle.

    Joe¡¯s dread eased thanks to their raised spirits.

    Power of friendship.

    He could almost hear his sister say in her sweet, singsong voice.

    Joe turned his attention to the not-so-jolly green giant before him and thought, ''identify.''

    [Name: Greensnare Guardian

    Type: Elemental Titan - Earth/Water

    Level: 95, High Bronze Mana Rank

    Health Points (HP): 16,000

    Mana Particles (MP): 6,000

    Strength: 95

    Agility: 40

    Intelligence: 70

    Constitution: 100

    Charisma: 20]

    "Is that all?" TJ stood back, chewing his lower lip, deep in thought. "I thought there¡¯d be more."

    Brian shook his head. "My head¡¯s dizzy. That¡¯s more than enough for me. Did you see how many health points that thing has? This is going to be carnage."

    Joe nodded. "It will be for any bronze rank lone wolves. We are smarter than that. I¡¯ve in-game experience of fighting dungeon bosses with this level difference. We¡¯ll level up as much as we can before we face off against Greensnare alone¡ª"

    "Are you saying that the three of us together stand a chance against that titan?" TJ asked, sounding doubtful. With good reason. Even if they leveled fast, Joe knew it was likely they would all still be Bronze Rank Ascenders for the duration of the first few floors.

    "No," Joe said, raising his chin. "At our level, three is not enough to face off against a monster with those stats. I bet there¡¯s more to Greensnare than meets the eye. That¡¯s why we''re going to find at least two more members to join our adventure party before we even attempt the first floor."

    "You have a look about you like you¡¯ve already got people in mind." TJ shot him a knowing look. "As long as it isn¡¯t that elf and his little magic flute."

    "Tempting." Joe scratched his chin as if seriously considering, then laughed. "But no, we need to make sure we¡¯re well-rounded with race and class. Right now we¡¯re earth-heavy, which is great for defense, but we need some damage dealers and a healer."

    "Dawn can definitely deal damage," Brian said, stroking his goatee. "Why don''t we think about it while Poppy tells us more on what ''hybrid'' exactly means."

    "Poppy can¡¯t say," came her fast reply.

    Using Quick Wit, Joe examined the Greensnare¡¯s avatar, his senses sharpening as he took in its gigantic form. The mana used for the skill was worth it as his thoughts sped up, connecting ideas that would take him longer without using the skill. He felt like Sherlock from the TV show where everything connected in technicolor glory.

    "Hey Poppy, I notice this kaiju has physical traits from different species," he said, wondering if some gene splicing had gone on. "Kinda like Biollante, which was genetically engineered with human DNA. If that''s the case and Greensnare has abilities from different races, then we¡¯re facing a very dangerous boss on our very first floor. We could expect subterranean growth where it might extend roots or vines underground to attack from below, and no doubt it will have something like acid sap spray and whips to add to the fun."

    "Poppy does not know. Gene splice? Level up and you might find out much more." Poppy¡¯s answer seemed more cryptic than Joe would have liked.

    "That¡¯s all part of the plan," Joe said, even more convinced he was right. "If all the races went into this monster, it would have their weaknesses too, with an increased chance of mutation."

    The blue flame flickered in his mind. "Don¡¯t get too cocky, boy. You do not have all the pieces of the puzzle yet."

    Not wanting to draw attention, he spoke to the flame in his mind, hoping it could hear him. "How about being useful and confirming what I¡¯ve said to be true? This is a Frankenstein plant stitched together with the DNA of all the races here in the tower."

    "I could tell you that, but I like being vague. Keeping you on your toes, guessing, amuses me. Boredom is a killer." The heat from the flame flickered in his chest.

    Joe rolled his eyes. He was aware of Brian and TJ talking but it was like he was in another room.

    "No need to be so moody.¡± A quick flicker from the flame made Joe wince. ¡°You''re no longer a teenager. When you''ve finished patting yourself on the back for a job well done, perhaps you should look around. There are several doors in this tower with a titan boss on each of the twenty-three floors. Aren¡¯t you even the tiniest bit curious?"

    Joe left the others, partly to give himself space so the others wouldn¡¯t look at him funny, but he was having a conversation in his mind with a talking blue flame that singed him from the inside-out. Yet, each time it spoke, it teased Poppy and him. Maybe he was going stir crazy.

    He came to a stop in front of an all-glass container even bigger than Greensnare, the gigantic form nothing more than a silhouette with three question marks above its head.

    ¡°That¡¯s a big one,¡± he said, looking around, sizing up the other containers. ¡°In fact, it looks like the biggest one here. I wonder if it¡¯s the final boss¡ªif biggest means baddest and it¡¯s meant to last.¡±

    ¡°Poppy cannot say. Do not worry, Joe, you are strong. I know this titan; big-big but still not indestructible,¡± Poppy said, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness, a stark contrast to her usual cheery self.

    The blue flame scoffed in his mind. ¡°Such a child. I bet she¡¯s going to cry.¡± The bitterness in its tone was like that of a big brother who found it a chore to mind his little sister. Joe knew a guy like that; they weren¡¯t friends for that reason.

    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± he asked, clenching his fists, resisting the urge to fling the mounting frustration.

    Before he realized it, Brian and TJ were at his side. ¡°You alright?¡± they asked, TJ¡¯s intense gaze bore into him, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

    That worry was mirrored in the soft brown eyes of Brian. ¡°You¡¯re looking a little blue in the face.¡±

    Joe¡¯s cheeks flushed as he realized he¡¯d spoken aloud. The blue flame chuckled in his mind.

    Now who¡¯s the child? Joe thought.

    No answer came from the flame; he felt its presence sinking deeper, deeper down. A lump caught in his throat, a feeling of sadness overwhelmed him. As the tether between him and the blue flame diminished, he wondered if it was his own sadness or if it belonged to the flame; he wasn¡¯t sure.

    Then it hit him. It wasn¡¯t only sadness, it was grief, like when he walked into a room and felt sad for no reason at all. It felt like the grief of losing his granddad all over again. Such a little thing could trigger such big emotions. Not now. He shook those feelings aside and boxed them away, putting them on the bottom shelf in his mind where he hoped they¡¯d be forgotten, knowing they never would.

    Brian placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, bringing him back. ¡°Who are you talking to?¡±

    Joe shrugged. ¡°No one, just thinking aloud. Habit from my previous life when I lived alone.¡±

    Brian nodded with a hint of sadness. ¡°I know how that feels. That¡¯s why I had a pet [MadLibs: insert pet type]. We''d chat for hours. Such great company, and what a great listener [Name] was every time I talked about my troubles.¡±

    Joe¡¯s spirits lifted at the mention of Brian¡¯s pet. It reminded him of Terkle, a baby turtle he¡¯d found in the Summer drought. He¡¯d missed the little guy when he moved out. ¡°[Brian¡¯s Pet Name] is an awesome name for a [Brian¡¯s type of pet]. I understand how you feel, man. The last apartment I rented had a no-pets policy."

    TJ tilted his head. ¡°The world you came from is a strange one.¡± He raised his hands and wiggled his fingers. ¡°No claws for digging. No magic. It¡¯s a wonder your race survived long enough to spawn you from an egg.¡±

    Joe laughed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t spawned from an egg.¡± His jaws snapped closed as he saw TJ''s eyes light up with interest.

    ¡°How were you born then?¡±

    Brian¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he stroked his goatee. ¡°Do you want to tell him, or should I?¡±

    Joe was not ready for a talk about the birds and the bees, especially with somebody who looked the same age as he was. ¡°Wow, look at that,¡± he said with a rogue smile, and he stealthily skipped out of the conversation and walked on. Try as he might, he couldn¡¯t drown out Brian¡¯s voice. ¡°I explained it how my dear mother explained it to me. When a mommy dwarf and the daddy dwarf love each other very much¡­¡±

    Joe walked faster. ¡°Hey, Poppy, when we kill monsters out here on the floor, do they leave loot behind?¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, Joe. Lots of loot. And monster cores. Kill the titan, get a titan core.¡±

    Joe scratched his jaw. ¡°So plenty of loot, but there¡¯s only so much we can carry given the limitations of our inventory. Choosing the backpack as my storage unit was a good idea. So, you¡¯ve mentioned we can restore mana faster by resting in the bunk beds. I take it that the system allows automatic mana regeneration, and the rate is influenced by our attributes, gear, skills, and so on. What about mana regeneration during combat?¡±

    ¡°Slow down. If the level gap is big between you and the monster, no mana regeneration. Be clever; use monster cores.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great to know, thanks, Poppy. So, consuming monster cores will increase our MP.¡±

    Many of the games he¡¯d played showed mana would restore over time; it seemed to be the case here, and as far as health points were concerned, they decreased when he took damage, but resting could restore them if¡ªand it was a big if¡ªhe had the luxury of time. It would only do that if absolutely necessary, preferring to have someone who could cast healing spells in their group.

    The blue flame flickered. His voice a whisper in Joe¡¯s mind. "Who gets the monster core when you fight together? There is only one correct answer."

    Joe growled ¡°Whoever needs it the most.¡±

    ¡°Wrong. The answer is you, Joe. You will always need it the most. Level up fast and you can attract other powerful ascenders. They will be the bedrock of your faction. Not a dwarf and a kobold turned human.¡±

    Huh, he¡¯s mistaken if he thinks I¡¯m faction commander material. I chose rogue class for a reason. The last thing I want to do is stand out in a crowd.

    ¡°Powerful doesn¡¯t mean better.¡± Joe¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Trust is worth its weight in gold. I trust TJ and Brian.¡±

    ¡°How nice! Unless they level fast like you, they''re dead weight. They¡¯ll drag you down.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t happen,¡± Joe snapped, setting a brisk pace, as if he could outrun the invader in his mind.

    ¡°I know it won¡¯t because I won¡¯t let it ever get that far.¡± The cold conviction in the entity''s words chilled Joe to his core. The thoughts of the blue flame forcing him to leave his friends behind, stripping him of control, would be worse than torture.

    He¡¯d find a way to protect himself. To do that, he needed to find out as much about the blue flame as it knew about him.

    Poppy interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Hey Joe! You like talking to yourself? Me too.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I didn''t realize I was doing that.¡± Joe shrugged. He wanted to change the topic fast. ¡°When we¡¯re out on the tower floor, will there be other ascenders looking to kill monsters and level up? What happens when we want to claim a monster to fight for its core?¡±

    ¡°Floors are huge. HUGE.¡± She spread her arms wide to show what she meant. ¡°When you enter, the system puts you far away from others; plenty of monsters for each ascender. The minimum ratio is three to one; once the fight is engaged, other ascenders, either alone or in another team, are locked out. You win or die. Only then can another ascender try to kill that monster.¡±

    Joe knew from experience it was likely the system would notify ascenders when big feats were made, and that would draw ascenders to the area like a gold rush. Those that chose to sleep often to restore mana and health or explore without grinding would quickly fall behind. Even now, talking with Poppy was costing them valuable time. He hoped to hell the knowledge they gained here would be worth it all.

    TJ jogged up beside Joe. ¡°If we ever get out of here and I¡¯m still stuck in this body, I want to go visit your world. Making human babies sounds like much more fun than what we kobolds do.¡±

    Brian joined them with the look of a proud parent.

    ¡°Glad you have goals.¡± Joe winked. ¡°Right now, mine is to learn as much as possible in as short a time as possible. If we don¡¯t get out there onto the first floor level fast, we are going to fall behind. If we fall behind, we die.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡± TJ cracked his knuckles. ¡°Stick with me, and we will annihilate anything in our path and be time-rich champions of the Battlebox before you know it.¡±

    Joe liked his optimism, but they needed to put positive action behind those positive words.

    ¡°Want to visit the MadOrbz Hall of Fame?¡± Brian asked.

    TJ looked around, puzzled. ¡°Hell yeah, like that¡¯s even a question. Where is it?¡±

    ¡°Me, me! I show you.¡± Poppy waved a hand, hopping from one foot to the other.

    A surge of excitement filled Joe''s chest. He couldn''t wait to learn everything he could about MadOrbz. Who knew? He and his new friends might even get some new orbs before their next Battlebox training session.

 Chapter 9: Hall of Fame

    As Poppy faded from view, her voice echoed down the corridor, "This way, this way. Hurry, yes. See the sign now? Light it up." Joe narrowed his eyes, peering into the distance where a grand arch glowed, inviting them closer. The words MadOrbz Hall of Fame were barely visible, etched across it in an elegant script.

    Crossing the threshold felt like stepping into another era. They were transported into what resembled an old museum, where the ceilings soared high and vaulted, bathed in soft, mystical lights that focused on displays lining the ancient walls. Each orb, exquisitely encased in glass, reminded him of the exhibition of priceless Faberg¨¦ eggs his granddad had once shown him.

    Curious, Joe leaned in closer at the screens beside each display and tapped one. Instantly, information sprang to life on the screen.

    "Wow this place looks fancy and very secure," TJ said, rapping his knuckles against the glass lightly.

    "No, no. Look, don''t touch," Poppy quickly said, her tone playful yet firm.

    Joe''s gaze wandered across the different sections designated for various tiers of orbs. The first section they approached showcased the enhanced MadOrbz. The detailed information displayed told them all they needed to know about these orbs.

    As they moved on, they reached the section housing the prime MadOrbz. These orbs, although similar in appearance to the first, shimmered with more intensity, indicating a higher level in both variety and power.

    At the heart of the hall lay the master MadOrbz. The screens explained that these orbs were legendary, known across the realms for their immense power with extraordinary potential. Each orb was uniquely tied to historical events or ascenders with advanced QRLs.

    At the end of the hall, they found themselves at a setup Poppy cheerfully dubbed the ¡°sushi bar for sorcerers.¡± A long conveyor belt looped around a large, ornately decorated counter where orbs slowly rotated on a belt. Each orb was close enough to examine in detail but remained inches out of physical reach.

    Joe leaned closer to an orb that caught his eye. Inside it, a miniature galaxy whirled with vibrant, sparkling stars. With the speed of a FNAF jump scare, a figure popped up from behind the counter.

    Startled, Brian jumped back with a booming yelp.

    The figure, tall and ghostly, bathed in the glow of the MadOrbz, looked like some aristocrat from a bygone era. His skin was so pale it was nearly translucent.

    The man, if that¡¯s what he was, looked at them with a curious fascination. Joe couldn¡¯t help but stare back. The man¡¯s left eye swiveled in its socket glowing like a MadOrbz. Fixating on Joe, its cosmic patterns were almost hypnotic.

    Shaking off the trance, Joe listened as the man spoke.

    "Welcome, welcome, esteemed guests and curious souls. I am your host, Caspar Shard. Please, step right up to behold the wonders of the arcane, encapsulated within these luminous orbs. Each one a repository of enigmatic tales and mystical secrets, waiting for you to unlock. And who knows? Today, my dear Master Joe, you may be the fortunate soul to discover a hidden gem among these treasures." He gestured towards the orb that had caught Joe''s attention.

    Brian shifted with unease and whispered to Joe, "How does he know your name?"

    Caspar, the friendly curator, straightened his blue velvet dickie bow with a grand wave of his hand and smiled at Brian. "Splendid question, Master Brian. As the Archivist linked to the Tower''s system, I keep track of many visitors and their stories. Your names and past adventures are simply part of the records I maintain," he said with a cheerful tone.

    Joe noticed a flicker of something deeper in Caspar''s eyes¡ªa brief glimpse of ancient knowledge that hinted there was much more to the curator than he let on.

    Joe filed that thought away and turned his attention back to the powerful orb, now appearing silver as the conveyor belt moved it further away. "It''s nice to meet you, Mr. Caspar. Do we need to come here each time we want to know more about MadOrbz or to purchase them?"

    The curator shook his head. "While you are welcome here anytime, you''ve unlocked access to a trade or trash window within your own system-linked user menu. This allows you to connect with me when you''re in the common room under the rules of green, orange, and red access."

    TJ puffed, relieved. "Glad to hear that. I''d rather spend my time with monsters and fighting in the Battlebox than shopping. Give me a list of everything in one place, let me select what I want, and move on."

    That comment reminded Joe of a cool story he''d read, where the items needed to survive an apocalypse were available inside vending machines. "Wouldn''t it be great if the common room had a vending machine with these orbs on display? With the push of a button, we could select what we wanted."

    Brian''s eyes lit up. "Yes, like some grand system vending machine, now that would be wonderful."

    Caspar scoffed. ¡°I take exception to being compared to a mere vending machine. I¡¯ve got style, charm and personality¡­¡±

    ¡°True.¡± Joe grinned. ¡°Personality goes a long way.¡±

    The curator raised his chin. ¡°Exactly and I take pride in my collection. Do you wish to purchase some now?¡±

    Joe stepped forward, his eyes scanning the shelves filled with orbs. With his Rogue class, he was particularly interested in the Water affinity orbs, knowing the addition would complement the MadOrbz already within his decagon. His gaze stopped on a vibrant orb, its deep blue hues swirling like an ocean storm.

    ¡°Ah, I see you¡¯ve found Poseidon¡¯s Wrath.¡± Caspar¡¯s voice carried a mix of admiration and regret. ¡°It¡¯s truly a magnificent orb, capable of summoning a tidal wave to sweep away your competition. However, this Enhanced MadOrbz will cost you more time currency than you currently possess.¡±

    Frowning, Joe considered his other options. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to spend too much of his time right now, he needed to gain as much as he could if he ever hoped to leave the tower. He pointed to a pair of simpler, less vibrant orb on a lower shelf. ¡°What about these two?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Excellent choices. Here we have the Aqua Shot, a Starter tier MadOrbz that deals +15 damage against fire-based orbs, with +10 damage against other affinities. And this one,¡± he said, gently lifting a smaller, less radiant orb, ¡°is the Hydromancer. It allows for a moderate healing effect, perfect for sustaining your MadOrbz during prolonged battles.¡±

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Focusing on Aqua Shot, he confirmed Caspar¡¯s description, identifying it as an attack MadOrbz dealing more damage to Fire affinity orbs. His gaze shifted to the Hydromancer. The orb was capable of healing half of another orb¡¯s health points. Considering how useful the Aqua Shot could be in dealing damage, he could benefit from keeping it alive longer.

    Joe nodded. ¡°How much for these?¡±

    ¡°Five years for the Aqua Shot, but ten for Hydromancer.¡± Caspar let his hand follow the curve of the orb, allowing it to glint underneath the overhead lamp. ¡°Standard tier are more costly, but will be affordable for you, Master Joe.¡±

    Joe swallowed, reluctant to spend so much of his time currency, but knowing the usefulness of having a healer orb in his decagon gave him a sense of relief. ¡°I¡¯ll take these two.¡±

    ¡°Very wise.¡± Caspar grasped the second orb. ¡°Remember, Master Joe, even the simplest of orbs can shift the battle in your favor. I¡¯d be more than happy to continue our trades.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t happen to have any notebooks, do you?¡± Joe recalled Poppy saying he could buy one in the common room, but this seemed to be the only place to purchase goods.

    Caspar adjusted his bowtie. ¡°I only have a catalog which automatically populates once you identify the MadOrbz.¡±

    Sighing, Joe chewed the inside of his cheek. ¡°And a pen? How much for them?¡±

    ¡°A pen? Not many request such items.¡± The curator glanced underneath the counter, retrieving a small catalog. ¡°For you, Master Joe, I¡¯d be happy to give you the last ascender cycle at no cost to you. My new catalog is not quite ready for distribution yet. The recent fluctuations in the ley lines were most distracting.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± Brian¡¯s eyes shone with curiosity.

    ¡°Nothing of interest.¡± Caspar¡¯s clipped tones immediately activated Joe¡¯s bullshit detector. The curator continued with a dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°There is little to no demand for catalogs, notebooks or pens, which makes issuing the latest MadOrbz catalog a low priority task for me.¡±

    ¡°Shame that,¡± Joe said. Thumbing through a hard copy of manuals always helped him find important information he¡¯d otherwise miss in a digital version.

    Grinning, Joe checked his inventory, there inside the decagon the two new orbs rested next to his other three Water affinity orbs. Glancing at his stats, he winced at his ascender number having dropped to 64. Patting his hoodie, he sighed, thankful the orange remained. His gaze shifted back to the curator to thank him and ask about the ascender cycle, but he¡¯d already moved on to another ascender.

    ***

    With new knowledge, it seemed time to return to the common room. Joe noticed TJ had a spring in his step, thanks to his new MadOrbz Groundbreaker he was eager to try out in the practice Battlebox sessions, accessible only in the common room. "Poppy, remind me what''s available to us in the orange zone?"

    "Two free Battlebox sessions for each floor."

    "If we don''t use them, do they roll over?" Joe twisted the cord on his hoodie.

    "No-no, Joe."

    "That''s a pity because you never know when the rules might change," Brian said as they reentered the common room.

    "Excuse me," a high-pitched voice called from behind.

    Joe turned and stepped aside, surprised to see a ratfolk trying to pass by them. The ratfolk, unphased by Brian''s height, looked up. "I overheard your conversation about the Battlebox, and I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. The rules are the rules; they won''t change."

    TJ narrowed his eyes. "I suppose you¡¯re telling me that you trust every word the Lich Master says?"

    "Why wouldn¡¯t I?" The little ratfolk nodded.

    "There¡¯s a long list of reasons, but the best bit of advice I can give you is to trust no one."

    The ratfolk took a quivering step back from TJ, his dark glossy eyes locked onto him as he slowly nodded. With a quick turn, he scampered across to the sleeping area and hopped into a bunk bed.

    "Fool." TJ said, shaking his head. "Fodder for the tower, running away with its tail between its legs."

    "Cut him some slack, he made it to the Orange Zone," Joe said. "It¡¯s a tough climb to the top when you¡¯re at the bottom."

    "But that¡¯s where he¡¯ll go back to if he doesn¡¯t listen to reason." TJ took a step forward, his tone stern. "I¡¯ll go over there and get his head straight. He¡¯ll thank me when he survives the first floor."

    Brian raised his hand. "I¡¯ll go and see if I can bring him around. You stay here and prepare for the Battlebox."

    Joe knew that Brian¡¯s approach was more diplomatic than TJ, even though TJ¡¯s heart was in the right place. As eager as Joe wanted to enter the practice Battlebox, they took some time to rest in the bunks and eat, ensuring their mana and health points were at their max.

    Joe checked his decagon, the anticipation overflowing with excitement. He now had two other orbs equipped to his collection and was eager to see how they worked. A notification blinked on the attributes tab of his display. His eyes widened and he quickly selected it, remembering he needed to assign his flex points.

    He chewed on the hoodie string as he considered his options. It seemed that with his Rogue class, each QRL increase would give him points towards dexterity, intelligence, charisma, and a flex point. Scanning his stats, his strength was the lowest, followed by constitution. Sure, he could use more strength on the floor, but his attacks were better fit for range attack and if TJ stuck around, he¡¯d be the tank. No, there¡¯d be no telling what the jungle held if it¡¯d eaten Lucky alive and had scavenging acidic beetles wandering the shadows. He dropped his two flex points into constitution, raising it to a total of five.

    [Health Points gained 1% resistance.]

    He bit down on the cord of his hoodie. One percent wasn¡¯t much, but given his health was relatively low at Bronze Rank, it would be useful, even if he could use a respawn token. Examining his eternal honor, his hoodie¡¯s cord dropped from his mouth.

    [Tracker: Increases dexterity by 25% when Quick Wit is activated.]

    Joe closed his mouth, happy he¡¯d decided to hold off on adding any points to his dexterity. With each activation of his skill, he¡¯d gain nearly three points to dexterity.

    Brian tapped the table, signaling his return. ¡°That one¡¯s pretty set in his ways.¡±

    ¡°I mentioned it to Lucky.¡± Closing out of his stats display, Joe nodded. ¡°I bet the ratfolk have an advantageous trait like Scavenger¡¯s Luck. The low time currency they were given upon induction into their race needed to be supplemented.¡±

    Thumbing towards the ratfolk, Brian glanced over his shoulder. ¡°He¡¯d said something like that. He located a valuable item he called a ¡®time crystal¡¯ to increase his ascender number, but he doubted he¡¯d find another as valuable again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d love to go over there and knock some sense into him.¡± TJ placed the last bite of food in his mouth. ¡°It always frustrates me but we can¡¯t help the ones that don¡¯t want it.¡±

    ¡°I hope Lucky finds a hefty time crystal on the first floor so he can join us in the ranks. Definitely something we need to keep an eye out for too.¡± Joe chewed the rest of his dried seaweed snack and slid his chair away from the table, more than ready to increase his own time currency. ¡°But for now, we have our own Battlebox to focus on.¡±

    "Have fun." Poppy yipped like a pup.

    "I intend to." Joe smiled.

    Brian wiped the crumbs off TJ¡¯s hoodie. "Honestly, TJ, you eat like a toddler on a sugar high."

    TJ smirked, brushing off Brian¡¯s attempt to look irritated. "Better than you, who eats like a goblin discovering a buffet for the first time."

    Joe couldn''t help but laugh as they left the common room, their banter a comforting distraction.

    As they walked, Joe glanced at the titan-scaled walls rippling beside them and the web of pulsing veins overhead. The living architecture was a constant reminder of the titan waiting for them on the first floor.

    But first, they had to boost their skills and time currency.

    "Let¡¯s move," Joe urged, heading straight for the entrance to the Battlebox simulation. "Time to make the Lich wish he¡¯d formed a metal band instead of summoning us to this tower."

 Chapter 10: Twoéˆ¥æªš Company, Threeéˆ¥æªš a Crowd

    The first pages of the catalog showed introductory rules to the Battlebox. The tutorial seemed to cover the basics, so Joe skipped ahead to scan the orbs and make every second count.

    Thumbing the pages, he spotted his orbs organized by their tier and affinity¡ªstarter and water. Their stats matched the information he¡¯d already identified during the tutorial Battlebox. There, he couldn¡¯t identify others¡¯ orbs, besides noticing that each one glowed with a tinge of color.

    Clicking the end of his pen, he jotted down the four colors¡ªred for Dawn¡¯s fire orbs, orange for TJ¡¯s earth orbs, and white for Andras¡¯ wind orbs, leaving blue for his own Water affinity orbs.

    Stowing the catalog away, Joe took a deep breath, preparing for what was to come.

    The first to step into the sterile simulation room, Joe¡¯s skin prickled with the cold, clinical air. The glass and white stone surfaces gleamed, reflecting the determined faces of TJ and Brian as they joined him.

    A screen embedded in the wall flickered to life, and a blast of heavy metal music erupted from the speakers, setting an adrenaline-charged mood. A hyper-enthusiastic voice, dripping with the kind of energy that could outshine a social media influencer, boomed out to greet them, matching the words on the screen:

    Battle Box Simulator: How many participants?

    "Three," Joe''s voice echoed in the pristine space.

    Participants within the same QRL range can challenge each other or go up against the Host. That¡¯s me!

    "I¡¯m at QRL 3," Brian said, cracking his knuckles.

    ¡°Me too. Hope you guys can keep up with me. I¡¯m fast and furious." TJ adjusted his stance like a boxer ready for a match.

    Joe raised his hand. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re all QRL 3, but I think we should each face off against the Host to test what the AI in the simulation is capable of. We have two sessions available; the second one can be melee against each other.¡±

    TJ crossed his arms. ¡°Listen, if we fight each other for both sessions, we¡¯ll learn each other¡¯s weaknesses and improve faster before we face off against the other ascenders.¡±

    ¡°You both have fair points,¡± Brian said, tapping a finger against his chin. ¡°But I¡¯m inclined to agree with Joe. Let¡¯s see what this Host throws at us first. Besides, I could write a thesis on your strengths and weaknesses, TJ. I¡¯m like a hawk on steroids.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± TJ eyed him without hesitation. ¡°If I started listing all your faults, we''d be here until the death of the universe and¡ª¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯d all die of boredom,¡± Brian cut in.

    ¡°Stop bickering, you two.¡± Joe stepped forward, raising his hands. ¡°I¡¯m calling it. I¡¯ll face the Host in the first challenge. If you want to work off your frustrations on each other, be my guest.¡±

    TJ huffed, and Brian fell silent, looking like scorned children. They all selected the Host as their opponent.

    Terrain? Start with the default sterile environment?

    "Sterile''s fine." Joe rolled his shoulders to loosen up. He could feel the tension in his muscles grow with each passing second.

    The room transformed in a series of mechanical clicks and whirrs. Sections of the floor and walls shifted, revealing hidden compartments. Three auto-MadOrbz launchers emerged, each resembling an oversized, high-tech tennis ball machine. These weren''t ordinary machines, though. They were sleek, almost alien in design, with glowing circuits and smooth, rotating surfaces that seemed to hum with latent energy.

    The sections looked like magic squash courts, each one bordered by transparent, shimmering force fields that buzzed with static electricity. The floors were polished to a mirror finish, reflecting the neon lights embedded in the walls. Each section had a distinct ambiance:

    Section One was a harsh, white environment, the force fields casting a cold, sterile light that made everything seem sharper and more intense. The launcher was mounted on a sleek, robotic arm, which twisted and turned with mechanical precision.

    Section Two had a more earthy feel. The floor looked like polished stone, with faint cracks running through it, as if it were ancient and battle-worn. The force fields glowed with a soft, amber hue, giving the section a warm, almost organic ambiance. The launcher in this section resembled a rugged, industrial machine, with reinforced plating and a brutish, no-nonsense design.

    Section Three was a stark contrast to the first two, with a deep, blue glow emanating from the force fields. The floor appeared to be made of a smooth, reflective material, like dark glass, giving the illusion of depth. The launcher in this training section was the most advanced-looking, with sleek, aerodynamic lines and a multitude of sensors and targeting arrays.

    The Host¡¯s voice assigned them to their sections with an amused tone.

    Ascender 64 to Section One, Ascender 69 to Section Two, Ascender 59 to Section Three.

    "Perfect." TJ grinned. "I always knew you belonged in a sterile lab, Joe."

    "At least I''m not stuck in the Stone Age, TJ." Joe glanced back, smirking. ¡°Though with your ascender number, I bet you can really heat it up.¡±

    Brian chuckled, stepping into the blue-lit section. "Hey, don''t get too comfy in the cave, TJ. You might miss the future happening over here."

    Before TJ could open his mouth to protest a party horn blared followed by another enthusiastic announcement made by the Host.

    Battlebox Simulation initiated. 5/5 Spots available. Select your MadOrbz.

    Without hesitation, Joe equipped his five water affinity orbs. Drooler appeared first, followed by Slimer, Frostbite Chill, Aqua Shot, and last but not least Hydromancer, each one bobbing into place, encircling him at shoulder height. They all wore animated expressions that looked so silly they made Joe want to laugh.

    Focus.

    Joe moved to Section One. "Hey Host, do my teammates and opponents see the same thing I do when I look at my MadOrbz?" Joe asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

    Ah, the age-old question! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my friend. You see these orbs the way you choose to see them, but to others, they might look like a bad day at a paintball match.

    Joe glanced at Brian¡¯s sleek metallic orbs floating around his towering form, then back at his own Slimer Orb, its snot-covered cartoon face making him grimace. "Beauty¡¯s in the eye of the beholder, huh? I think the universe has a strange sense of humor.¡±

    Or maybe it¡¯s just you.

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but snort at the Host¡¯s remark. "Alright, let¡¯s do this. After the last Battlebox shenanigans, we need all the practice we can get to better control our orbs."

    TJ and Brian gave a sharp nod, their grins spurring Joe¡¯s determination to do better this time.

    Chosen objective: Starting target practice. Learn to better control your orbs at QRL 3. Yes/No?

    ¡°Yes!¡± Joe gave a swift thumbs up and faced the launcher.

    [MadOrbz are set.]

    [One Battlebox simulation round remains for this floor. No bets required, thus there is no prize pool. Time Remaining: 3¡¯ Begin!]

    Joe stood ready in Section One, the sterile environment now a familiar battlefield. His orbs floated around him, each one humming with energy and anticipation. The Host¡¯s voice, dripping with sarcasm and enthusiasm, echoed through the chamber.

    Prepare yourself, Ascender 64. First up: Terra the Terrible! He¡¯s here to rock your world!

    The launcher whirred to life, firing Terra the Terrible, it rumbled through the air with a menacing growl. The orb glowed with a deep, earthy hue, crackling with latent power.

    Joe acted swiftly, summoning Aqua Shot.

    The blue orb¡¯s squishy form and googly eyes belying its destructive potential. ¡°H2-Whoa¡­bet they¡¯d wish they brought a towel!¡±

    Since he couldn¡¯t control his orbs mid-flight with mana, he knew he¡¯d have to be very ¡®hands on¡¯ with them.

    Joe lunged forward, grabbing Aqua Shot with both hands. He flung it at Terra the Terrible. Aqua Shot flew through the air, its high-pressure jet stream of water slicing through Terra the Terrible¡¯s defensive aura. The Earth orb shuddered, its power dampened by the relentless water assault.

    Terra the Terrible¡¯s aura shifted from orange to white, sending a shockwave through the air towards Aqua Shot. The shockwave hit Aqua Shot, causing it to wobble mid-flight.

    [Aqua Shot +15 Damage]

    Dirt and debris sprayed from Terra the Terrible, trying to smother Aqua Shot¡¯s watery form. Aqua Shot googly eyes swam in their sockets but quickly recovered, its water jets washing away the dirt and debris.

    ¡°Is that all you got, Terra?¡± Joe smirked. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but mud when it rains!¡±

    Joe cringed at his corny insult, wishing Kyle were here to throw his own. He rocked back on his heels when another shockwave burst from Terra and hit Aqua Shot full force.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    [Aqua Shot +15 Damage]

    He dove forward and caught Aqua Shot before it hit the barrier. Cursing, Joe realized he was wrong to assume Terra was an Earth affinity orb. Given the power of the shockwave attack it had to have Wind affinity too. That meant it held an elemental advantage over all his Water affinity orbs.

    Two¡¯s company, three¡¯s a crowd: Inferno the Infernal! He¡¯s hot stuff and ready to burn!

    The Host¡¯s launcher fired Inferno the Infernal, a Fire affinity orb that blazed through the air with intense heat. The fiery orb¡¯s core cast a harsh glow on the white stone walls, leaving a trail of embers in its wake.

    First things first, heal Aqua Shot.

    Joe summoned Hydromancer next. The translucent, fish-like orb had bubbles floating around it. ¡°A splash of water never felt so good,¡± Hydromancer gushed in a cheerful tone, as if it was on the verge of breaking into a song and dance routine.

    He grabbed Hydromancer and launched it toward Aqua Shot.

    The Fire orb slammed into Hydromancer, dropping its HP by 10. Aqua Shot plunged into Inferno, but not before it burnt 10 more HP off of Hydromancer.

    He¡¯d planned to use Frostbite Chill, but then his Hydromancer kept taking damage, dropping its ability to heal.

    ¡°Shit, if I can''t get my Hydromancer to my damaged orb in time, it''s vulnerable to attacks and could be useless.¡± He really needed to find a way to activate his Defense or Disrupt orb at the same time, but how?

    He scanned his inventory to see if anything would be useful, like Andras, the dark elf''s mini-flute. His paracord could be wrapped around an orb so he could yank it back closer, at least until he learned to gain control of his orbs. His breath caught in his throat as he pulled an item from his inventory.

    ¡°This should do it.¡±

    He gripped a couple of smoke pellets and launched them into Inferno.

    Poof!

    Dark gray smoke surrounded the fire orb, spreading into every nook and cranny of the simulation room.

    TJ yelled and Brian groaned. ¡°I couldn¡¯t see a rat¡¯s ass if it were in front of my face over here.¡±

    ¡°Sorry!¡± Joe called through the haze. His nose stung as he inhaled the smoky air. A valuable lesson learnt, when it came to smoke pellets, less is more.

    Joe crouched low, avoiding the smoky overhang and activated Quick Wit. He released a loud whistle, scanning the area he spotted his Aqua Shot and Hydromancer bobbing in and out of the cloud of smoke.

    Sprinting toward the orbs, his Tracker enhanced dexterity assisted his grasp on Hydromancer before it could disappear again into the smoke. He twisted around connecting it to Aqua Shot, hoping he¡¯d have enough time before it returned to his decagon. With heavy breaths, he stared up at the Hydromancer¡¯s five second timer as it ticked by ever so slowly.

    It hovered beside the damaged orb, restoring Aqua Shot¡¯s health points by fifty percent. Aqua Shot glowed brighter, its form regaining its strength and vigor.

    [Aqua Shot HP: 75/100]

    [Hydromancer MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Simulation.]

    [Activate a MadOrbz on deck.]

    He mentally thought ¡®time,¡¯ the information responding with little effort.

    [Time Remaining: 2¡¯35¡±, MP: 97]

    Joe winced while checking the summoning time left on Aqua Shot. Eight seconds remained before his orb would be sent back to the decagon.

    Make every second count!

    With only eight seconds remaining for his orb, Joe knew he had to act fast. He grabbed Aqua Shot again and flung it towards Inferno the Infernal. The water orb¡¯s jet stream splashed Inferno in a spectacular burst of steam, the hiss filling the chamber. The intense pressure of the jet stream overwhelmed Inferno, causing it to waver and lose its fiery edge.

    Little red horns erupted atop Inferno the Infernal¡¯s fiery dome. It spewed a barrage of flames towards Aqua Shot. Aqua Shot retaliated with another jet stream, the water and fire colliding to create clouds of steam. Aqua Shot¡¯s relentless jets forced the red orb back.

    Then something strange happened. The little horns grew bigger, curling around and growing darker like obsidian. The flames turned black and began to overpower Aqua Shot¡¯s jet stream. As soon as Inferno¡¯s scorching black tongue licked the blue surface of Aqua Shot a trident icon appeared.

    [Aqua Shot has been touched by an Infernal Curse: Burning Shame]

    Aqua Shot¡¯s cheeks glowed red as a shame icon appeared. Its expression turned grim right before it disappeared from Joe¡¯s view. Clunking against the inside of his decagon signaled its return.

    [Burning with shame and regret over its poor performance, Aqua Shot is filled with self loathing and no longer summonable for this training simulation.]

    Tapping the window of the decagon, Joe tried to get the cursed orb¡¯s attention. Keeping its face turned away from the tiny window Aqua Shot refused to budge as if to say, ¡°Don¡¯t look at me.¡±

    Shaking his head, Joe looked at Slimer. The green, gooey orb bobbed up and down, circling him with a mischievous grin.

    Joe grabbed the orb and flung it at Inferno. Slimer shot forward, flinging sticky, gooey slime onto the fire orb. Inferno the Infernal was engulfed in the goo, its black flames sputtering as the slime coated it from head to toe. The orb struggled, its movements slowed to a crawl.

    [Slimer Disrupts Inferno with 5¡± time debuff.]

    Woohoo!

    The air crackled, raising goosebumps on Joe''s skin. It felt like a storm brewing. Coming out of hiding, Terra spun into view with a whirlwind of energy.

    Joe¡¯s heart lurched as it unleashed a shockwave, sending Slimer flying. The blast smashed into Joe''s orb, knocking it out of play. Slimer hit the boundary line, its big eyes rolling like ping pong balls before it vanished in a blue haze.

    Weather forecast: It¡¯s a washout!

    [Slimer is no longer summonable for this training simulation.]

    ¡°Damn it. I need an attack orb to deal with Terra.¡±

    ¡°Eat dirt, you shiny turd.¡± TJ¡¯s Groundbreaker orb smashed into his opponent¡¯s orb¡¯s translucent form. Glancing Joe¡¯s way, he pointed at his decagon and yelled. ¡°Hey, Joe! Use that frosty fucker to attack! He looks like he¡¯s itching to freeze that flying pile of shit solid!¡±

    ¡°Oh I will.¡± Joe seized the final moments of Slimer¡¯s disrupt debuff. He summoned Frostbite Chill and flung the orb with all his strength at Inferno, the fiery orb¡¯s dazed look fading.

    ¡°Let¡¯s break the ice¡­with your face!¡± Frostbite Chill¡¯s frozen spikes spun through the air with a spectacular collision of shattered icicles, piercing through the fire orb¡¯s weakened defenses.

    Inferno the Infernal shuddered, its core flickering before finally extinguishing.

    Finally!

    Joe exhaled, a victorious grin spreading across his face. He turned his attention back to Terra the Terrible, ready to finish the battle.

    Not bad, not bad. Let¡¯s see if you can keep up the pace. Terra¡¯s more than ready to knock your socks off.

    The launcher fired Terra the Terrible once more.

    Activating Quick Wit, Joe leapt, his enhanced Tracker dexterity making his grasp on Frostbite Chill effortless. He pivoted in mid-air, spotting Terra barreling towards him. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed Frostbite Chill, hitting Terra square-on. The orb¡¯s frosty aura dampened Terra¡¯s glow, slowing its advance.

    Terra retaliated with a shockwave attack, wind affinity energy crackling through the air. Frostbite Chill¡¯s icy form braced against the gust.

    [Frostbite Chill +10 Damage]

    Joe smiled. Unlike Slimer, Frostbite¡¯s ice composition made it more resistant to the attack, holding its ground against the wind affinity attack with greater ease.

    With impressive agility, Frostbite Chill zipped through the air gaining on Terra despite its clever evasive maneuvers. Closing in, Frostbite opened its jagged little mouth wide.

    Joe¡¯s brows rose as his orb bit a chunk out of Terra and spat it back at the orb, the expelled piece instantly frosting over, further weakening Terra¡¯s sturdy earth defenses.

    Looks like Ascender 64''s orb needs a muzzle. Can''t keep that thing under control, can you?

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°Ah, bite me!¡± As far as he could tell, his orb hadn¡¯t broken any rules.

    ¡°That went as well as I expected. How about you two?¡± Brian dusted his hands together in a finishing motion. He looked really pleased with himself as he eyed Joe and TJ.

    ¡°It ain¡¯t over yet for me.¡± Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed on Frostbite as it took damage from a more powerful shockwave attack. The blast rocked Joe back on his heels and tossed his hair.

    [Frostbite Chill +10 Damage]

    Taking advantage of the distraction, Terra followed up with a spinning smash forcing Frostbite towards the boundary line.

    [Frostbite Chill: 5¡± Remaining.]

    With seconds left on his orb¡¯s timer, Joe dashed after Frostbite and with Quick Wit active he grabbed it before it hit the boundary. Gasping for air, he flung his orb to the right of Terra.

    TJ growled. ¡°That¡¯s going wide!¡±

    ¡°Not for long.¡± A smoke pellet appeared in Joe¡¯s hand and he hurled it at the ground underneath Terra forcing it to flee. It flew straight into Frostbite¡¯s chilly flight path and froze.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s learning through action.¡± Brian clapped Joe on the back.

    Joe pumped his fist as Terra hit the boundary line and disappeared. ¡°Have to think on my feet. I used to do that back home playing games. Skipped right past long-winded narrations when I was short on time so I could get straight to the game play.¡±

    TJ nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t have the patience for a long list of rules. I¡¯ll leave that to you two.¡±

    [Training session over. You have one session remaining, would you like to continue. Yes/No?]

    Scratching his jaw Brian looked at the orb launchers. ¡°I feel like reading the rules will only get us so far. Did any of you notice the Host¡¯s orbs stayed in play much longer than ours?¡±

    A creeping chill made Joe shudder. ¡°Now that you mention it¡­and don¡¯t let those titles fool you into believing your opponent orb is a one trick pony.¡±

    TJ¡¯s brows snapped together. ¡°Whatcha mean?¡±

    ¡°I assumed Terra was Earth affinity as its name and earlier moves suggested. Then it blindsided my first orb with a wind-based attack. It was a dual affinity orb and Inferno had a curse attack up its sleeve.¡±

    Brian grinned. ¡°Great. You won¡¯t be so easily fooled next time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m itching to go again.¡± TJ bounced on the balls of his feet. ¡°My berserker attacks need more work.¡±

    Joe glanced at the pending notification, then back at the team. ¡°Might as well, we can spare three more minutes. Let¡¯s work on coordinating our hits and understanding our MadOrbz elemental affinities and capabilities better.¡±

    ¡°Hey Host,¡± Joe said. ¡°Yes. We¡¯re ready to continue.¡±

    Wise decision. It¡¯s use it or lose it since unused Battlebox training sessions won''t carry over to the next floor. Wouldn¡¯t want all that hard-earned knowledge to go to waste.

    Joe took a deep breath, his mind racing with new tactics he wanted to try out. With his orb¡¯s healing ability, he was curious if Hydromancer would be as quick at restoring HP if it were lower than twenty or if it cost more time to restore when there was greater damage. He also wanted to try out quick exchanges between Drooler¡¯s defense and Slimer¡¯s disrupt abilities.

    Going player versus player during the second session helped Joe catch some of the weaknesses in his pals¡¯ techniques. Brian and TJ picked up on many more. When it came to instruction Brian proved himself to be a great teacher. His ability to break down and put into words exactly how they could improve their throwing and MadOrbz interception techniques made it a very effective training session.

    Joe''s Quick Wit could be used to compensate where TJ had power but lacked control, and Brian had control but lacked power. Since both TJ and Brian had Earth affinity orbs, it was decided that Brian would focus on defense and TJ on attack, while Joe provided them with healing and cover.

    Joe¡¯s strategy involved using his Slimer orb to slow down enemies and protect Brian, while Drooler and Frostbite Chill would be used to assist TJ in breaking through defenses. Aqua Shot would serve as a barrier, giving them critical moments to regroup or push forward.

    Another thirty point drop in MP summoning his MadOrbz, but at the end of the three minute training session Joe was confident they¡¯d used the time well to improve their chances of success. The next time they entered a Battlebox the stakes would be real and time currency would be up for grabs.

    They made their way back to the common room. It was nearly empty.

    ¡°No prize for guessing, we¡¯re gonna be one of the last to enter the first floor of the tower.¡±

    Brian shrugged. ¡°We spent our time wisely. We¡¯ll earn it back.¡±

    ¡°Gotta spend time to make time.¡± Joe grinned despite himself, determined eyes locked on the entrance to the first floor.

    One floor at a time, one hit at a time.

    The blue flame flickered in his mind making clear its intention. ¡°This isn¡¯t merely about surviving the tower. It is about mastering it.¡±

 Chapter 11: Itéˆ¥æªš Party Time!

    A firm shake roused Joe from his thoughts. He blinked, turning his attention back to his surroundings. TJ shared a concerned look with Brian before removing his hand from Joe¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Sorry about that. I was checking my stats after our training session in the Battlebox.¡± Joe lied, trying to shake off the vacant look he realized he had. No way he was going to tell them he¡¯d been distracted by some blue flame entity invading his mind.

    TJ rounded the large table, his hand trailing along the spiny bone-like protrusions from the chairs lined on either side. ¡°Best to do that now rather than when you¡¯re facing off against Titan or one of its minions on the first floor.¡±

    Brian nodded, gesturing to the bunk beds on the far side. ¡°If time was on our side, I¡¯d have recommended restoring mana with the rest of the bunks, but I suggest you eat some mana-rich foods or drink a potion instead.¡±

    ¡°Look around, big guy. It¡¯s not like mana grows on trees. We¡¯ve got no health, stamina, or healing potions either,¡± TJ said, frustration creeping into his voice.

    A knowing grin spread across Brian¡¯s face. ¡°Thank the stars you¡¯re in the presence of a supremely talented alchemist who chose very wisely back in the Induction room.¡±

    ¡°Supremely talented alchemist?¡± TJ grinned while looking around the near empty room. ¡°Who would you be talking about then?¡±

    ¡°Why, me, of course.¡± Brian crossed his arms and gave TJ a scowl. ¡°I¡¯m modest too,¡± he added with a teasing smile directed at TJ, who shook his head and laughed.

    Brian pulled out a mana potion, leaning over to plant it on the table. ¡°Have a restorative drink, my good friends. There¡¯s more where that came from.¡± He turned a ring on his finger with an emerald-cut gem.

    TJ didn¡¯t hesitate. He took a generous swig and handed it to Joe. ¡°Drink up.¡± He motioned with impatience. ¡°Can¡¯t have you spacing out from lack of mana. Kobolds in my clan are used to mana depletion. I wager my stamina is rock solid compared to yours.¡±

    Brian took the bottle from Joe as soon as he was finished and stored it away in his ring. ¡°There was mana on my world, but I came from a low mana region. We learned to regulate it through meditation and breathwork. My stats here reflect my experience as a dwarf in the Ironside Mountains. I¡¯m curious, Joe, we have similarities, you and I. What was life like without mana?¡±

    Joe shrugged. ¡°Suppose you don¡¯t miss what you never had. The nearest thing I can compare to is science and technology. We had some great storytellers, including my grandpa, telling tales of magic. We ran games that took place in worlds like this, so I¡¯m not completely clueless. Just never believed somewhere out there magic was really real.¡± He decided not to get into the Lich Master¡¯s confession that Earth was one of his favorite places to spy on.

    He took some seaweed from his inventory and offered it around. A smile spread across his face, thinking about all those big-game moments with Tao and Kyle. Would they continue to play Isekai Cultivator now they were down a mage?

    That made him think of classes. Now that he knew Brian was an alchemist, he had an idea he¡¯d make a great artificer too, given his keen eye and attention to detail.

    ¡°I chose Rogue class. How about you, TJ?¡±

    ¡°Outsider.¡± TJ rolled his shoulders back, cracking his neck to one side like a battle-ready barbarian. ¡°I was the runt of our clutch of eggs, but I showed everyone when I grew up that I was a born fighter. Had to fight for everything from the time I was born, especially among my bigger brothers and sisters.¡±

    Joe offered him another pack of seaweed, and he eagerly took it. ¡°How many were there in your clutch?¡±

    TJ¡¯s eyes darted left, as if thinking about it and counting up in his head. ¡°Our clan are prolific breeders. Nobody counts, but I¡¯d say anywhere between 30 and 40 brothers and sisters. I was the last one out as I had a small egg tooth.¡± He flashed his teeth, working his jaw as he chewed the seaweed stuck to his teeth. ¡°I proved size doesn¡¯t matter, it¡¯s what you do with it that counts. How about you?¡±

    ¡°Just me and my little sister, Emma.¡±

    A lump rose in Joe¡¯s throat thinking of her cherubic smile. He swallowed it down.

    ¡°There¡¯s only me, no brothers or sisters,¡± Brian said, looking a little sad.

    ¡°Count yourself lucky. I lost count of how many of my so-called brothers and sisters tried to eat me before I was barely a day old,¡± TJ said, squeezing in between Brian and Joe and throwing an arm over each of their shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s survival of the fittest where I come from. Never knew who my parents were as a kid. They were pretty hands-off until we reached maturity. My clan didn¡¯t want to waste precious resources if we didn¡¯t survive to be productive members of Kobold society.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes went wide.

    TJ waved him away. ¡°Don¡¯t pity me. I don¡¯t need or want it. We were protected while we were inside our eggs, as much as a Kobold clan is expected to do.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t pity you,¡± Brian said. ¡°I pity the fools that dare to take you down. Seen you fight, remember? I¡¯m glad we¡¯re on the same team.¡± He chewed his lip as if he¡¯d just remembered something. ¡°Poppy dear, if I recall rightly, we¡¯ll be spread out on the first floor. Is that correct?¡±

    A dark screen pinged to life near the entrance to the first floor. The little Kaiju avatar slid across the screen in pixelated, glitchy excitement like she¡¯d consumed the entire cast of Candy Rush. ¡°Yip-yip! Unless you¡¯re in a party, you go your separate ways on the tower floors.¡±

    Joe looked at TJ and Brian. ¡°Want to make it official through the system so we stick together?¡±

    TJ squeezed them in closer. ¡°Party time!¡±

    ¡°Excellent!¡± Joe made a rock salute.

    ¡°I agree.¡± Brian smiled. ¡°I distinctly remember you mentioning we need more than three adventurers to take on the mighty Greensnare, and I¡¯m sure as the mana level increases up the tower, so will the strength and levels of the Titans we face.¡±

    ¡°Poppy, can we form a party using our system user interface? I¡¯d like to invite Dawn. Is that possible?¡±

    Poppy nodded, jumping up and down, her tail swishing behind her, eyes bright, ram horns sparkling. ¡°You can send anybody an invitation. It¡¯s up to them if they ignore it or say yes or no.¡±

    "Yeah, let''s make it official." Joe navigated his interface. He sent out the invites, watching as the system notifications popped up.

    [System Notification: You have invited TJ to join your party.]

    [System Notification: TJ has accepted your party invitation.]

    [System Notification: You have invited Brian to join your party.]

    [System Notification: Brian has accepted your party invitation.]

    [System Notification: You have invited Dawn to join your party.]

    Joe held his breath as time stretched out. He tried not to feel a little disappointed when it remained unread. Perhaps she was too busy fighting monsters on the floor; yeah, that had to be it. But a doubtful voice niggled in his mind. Maybe she¡¯d already joined another party or formed her own. She was strong, powerful, and a great fighter.

    Truth is, I need her more than she needs me.

    That thought was a revelation that took him by surprise. He shook off the disappointment; it was time to get grinding on the first floor. Perhaps they¡¯d meet Lucky, and he¡¯d join their party. If he made friends, they could round out their numbers to five.

    TJ strode forward, rubbing his hands together. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    Brian threw a mock bow. ¡°After you.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡± TJ raised his voice in challenge to whatever creatures waited on the other side of the doorway. ¡°What doesn¡¯t kill me first, better run. FAST.¡±

    With a whoosh, the valve-like entrance peeled open, mists snaking through the widening gap. TJ charged through, disappearing into the swirling haze. Brian and Joe followed, the dense air hitting Joe like a wet fish slap to the face.

    Catching his breath, Joe wiped his muggy brow as his watering eyes adjusted to the salt sting. After a few steadying breaths, his senses returned. The jungle floor was littered with dead leaves the color of a dragon¡¯s horde: golds, amber, and deep crimson, almost like blood splatters at Joe¡¯s feet.

    They stepped forward as a team, and Joe couldn¡¯t help humming the tune ¡°Welcome to the Jungle.¡± He needed some heavy metal motivation to steel himself against the riot of colors, sounds, and noises assaulting his senses. The distant roar of unknown beasts, the rustle of unseen predators, and the eerie silence in between was a cacophony that threatened to overwhelm him. If he activated Quick Wit, he would be overwhelmed.

    TJ sniffed and raised a fist. ¡°Don¡¯t move a muscle.¡± His voice was low and dangerous. ¡°Dead ahead, twenty paces, camouflaged¡­¡±

    Joe¡¯s pulse raced, his hands trembling by his sides, sweat trickling down the side of his face and pooling beneath his chin. Itching to wipe it away, he held fast and narrowed his eyes. No point in activating Quick Wit. He needed to conserve his mana until he knew what they were dealing with.

    A dark shape moved, the camouflage breaking as the creature shifted. Massive, with sinewy limbs and a mouth lined with jagged teeth, it looked like a cross between a tiger and a crocodile. Its red eyes locked onto them, hunger gleaming in the depths.

    Joe¡¯s mind returned to Dawn, wishing she¡¯d join them. Three against whatever the hell nightmare tower creation they were about to face didn¡¯t feel like great odds.

    As soon as the words "identify" escaped Joe¡¯s lips, text appeared above the creature as it emerged on giant, green, thorny paws.

    [Tiger Lily - Level ?]

    She moved in eerie silence, the only sound a faint buzz from a swarm of green flies overhead. One fly dipped low, and with deadly elegance, she swiped a paw, knocking it to the ground, her eyes never leaving Joe. The green fly spat orange goo, sizzling against her mane of petals, which shifted from vibrant orange to dark brown malignant spots.

    A rumble emanated from her chest as she pinned the aphid to the ground, first with one paw, then the other. Lightning fast, she tore the insect to shreds, her wilted mane restoring to a tangerine glow. She kept staring at them, clearly uninterested in eating her prey.

    ¡°Back up slowly and draw your weapons,¡± TJ commanded, already gripping his machete.

    Brian sighed, taking a slow, cautious step back. ¡°Here I was, thinking we¡¯d dodge a few traps, smack around some man-eating plants, and hope I didn¡¯t get my face melted off by some magical doodad.¡± Keeping one hand behind his back, he tapped the top of his ring, summoning a crossbow into his hand.

    Joe pulled out his butterfly knives as she fully emerged from hiding.

    Her muscular body resembled a jungle version of Battle Cat, but this wasn¡¯t some cartoon character. It was more like his worst nightmare and a bouquet of tiger lilies had a love child. Those petals sprouting from her back, head, and tail looked almost delicate if they weren¡¯t part of a creature that could rip him to shreds.

    She prowled forward, claws revealed. Jeez, they¡¯re like nature¡¯s answer to a chainsaw. Each step she took was calculated, like she¡¯d done this a million times before.

    Joe tensed, his voice a whisper. ¡°Have you heard the saying, the female of the species is more deadly than the male?¡±

    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Brian and TJ shook their heads, eyes locked on her.

    ¡°Yeah, well, they were talking about her.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s the queen of this jungle hellhole, and she knows it,¡± Brian said, raising his crossbow and taking aim. ¡°The vines and leaves part for her like they¡¯re bowing down to royalty.¡±

    Gripping his machete, TJ¡¯s eyes blazed with fury. ¡°Alright, BK. Time to overthrow the monarchy.¡±

    ¡°Wait, we don¡¯t know her level.¡± Joe grabbed TJ¡¯s arm. ¡°She¡¯s a statement from Mother Nature herself: ¡®Welcome to my jungle. You¡¯re screwed.¡¯ Let¡¯s start with ranged attacks. Brian, how good is your aim with the crossbow?¡±

    ¡°Not good, I¡¯m afraid. Low perception, and no time to practice.¡±

    Joe activated Quick Wit. Channeling his inner movie ninja, he spun the handle, ready to fly his butterfly knives. ¡°Two ranged attacks are better than one.¡± He leaned closer to TJ. ¡°If we miss, she¡¯s all yours.¡±

    TJ gripped his weapon tighter and grinned.

    Her green and gold tail swished almost hypnotically.

    ¡°Now.¡±

    Brian pulled the trigger, and a bolt flew.

    Joe used Quick Wit to hone his aim on the moving target. He steadied his trembling form and flung the dagger. It spun in a gleaming silver arc, and he held his breath as the world slowed down.

    TJ charged, clearing the way of vines that sprang to life, snaring their ankles.

    They were weak, Level 1 vines, which Brian easily shook off and stomped on. Joe took more effort, but he managed to break free in time to see the biting tip of his butterfly blade sink into the tiger lily¡¯s ruby red eye. It howled, pawing at it just as Brian¡¯s bolt grazed her flank. Although it didn¡¯t land true, the contact activated something within the bolt¡¯s head, exploding in a shower of white powder.

    TJ used the tiger''s pain and distraction to his advantage.

    Leaping high, he closed the distance and with a two-handed swing, put all his power behind a diagonal strike through its thorny hide on its right shoulder. Planting his foot hard on one paw, he trapped it while yanking the blade free from the tough hide.

    The machete was slick with sap-green blood as he spun into a follow-up strike, slashing across its neck as it raised its head to bite him. Blood gushed from the wound, silencing the ground-shaking roar of the beast into a gurgling pained cry.

    It snapped its teeth, biting air inches from TJ¡¯s face, and swiped with its free paw. It caught TJ across the chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

    Fueled by adrenaline, Joe threw his second knife, but the clever beast swiped it away before it hit his other eye.

    With fangs bared and claws extended, it stalked towards Joe.

    Brian raised his crossbow once more and pressed the trigger. This time his alchemy-infused bolt hit its mark right between its eyes, exploding and cracking its skull open like an egg.

    [Congratulations! You have killed Tiger Lily Level ? Monster. +1 Intelligence, +1 Dexterity]

    Nice! It was just as Joe had hoped¡ªas members of a party, no matter who killed the monster, they all got recognition for the kill. The monster core appeared in Brian¡¯s hand, and his emerald glowed as he deposited it into his ring.

    Without haste, Brian rushed to TJ, who rubbed his ribs as he rolled onto his other side. Brian lent a hand and helped him to his feet. Leaves fell from TJ¡¯s orange sweatsuit as he brushed himself off, seemingly no worse for wear. Joe released a held breath, relieved there wasn¡¯t a large gash across his chest.

    ¡°No need to look so worried, I¡¯m fine, the claw strike was powerful but not enough to penetrate my heavy armor.¡±

    ¡°Wow really?¡± Joe¡¯s brows rose, unable to hold back his surprise. ¡°What defensive weave stat is your clothing?¡±

    TJ flexed his thick arms, striking a proud pose like Superman. ¡°Twenty percent damage resistance.¡±

    ¡°Mine¡¯s only five per¡ª¡±

    Out of nowhere, a bloodied figure covered in gore emerged, heavily panting, crouched low. Joe¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his hand instinctively moving to his weapon. The fiery red ponytail flipped back as she looked up, revealing a familiar, fierce determination in her cat-like eyes.

    A notification flashed in Joe¡¯s vision.

    [System Notification: Dawn has accepted your party invitation.]

    Dawn staggered, her breath labored. ¡°I¡¯ve been poisoned and you¡¯re going to help me kill the fucker responsible.¡±

    Joe rushed over to help her.

    A roar shook the leaves.

    ¡°Get in line, Dawn.¡± TJ growled. ¡°We¡¯ve got more furry, fang-toothed bastards to deal with, and you just stole our thunder. Next time, try bleeding a little quieter.¡±

    Dawn glanced down at her blood smeared green sweatsuit, grimacing as she tied her hair back and wiped blood from her face. ¡°Relax. None of it''s mine.¡±

    Brian lobbed his Titan¡¯s tears potion to Joe. ¡°Give some to Dawn. Sounds like we¡¯ve more company in coming.¡± He raised his crossbow in the direction of the sound.

    TJ flanked Brian, flicking blood from his blade. Vibrant green splattered against the leaves. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s you and me, buddy, until those two are finished playing nurse and patient.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for the compliment, nurses are awesome.¡± Joe opened the bottle and offered it to Dawn.

    She stood upright, shadows writhing around her like living tendrils. Her eyes were dim, her face strained as she steadied herself. ¡°Down the hatch.¡± She took a gulp and handed the potion back to Joe.

    He tossed it back to Brian, who stowed it in his ring right before three forms exploded from the greenery.

    Dawn reached for her weapon, but Joe stalled her, gesturing to TJ and Brian. ¡°They¡¯ve got this. Take it easy. You need a minute to recover and let the potion work its magic.¡±

    TJ sprang forward, his blade flashing towards the smallest and fastest of the attacking tiger lily beasts. Brian took aim at the one furthest away, the bolt exploding on impact, slowing its bounding strides. TJ''s two-handed strike nearly cleaved the beast''s head off. Brian fired another bolt at the third tiger lily charging.

    He completely missed.

    ¡°No time to reload,¡± Brian muttered, charging forward. With a grunt, he stomped and smashed the beast with a front kick, his boot connecting with a sickening crunch. The tiger lily''s jaw snapped around his heel, locking on tight.

    Brian winced, shaking it off. Not wanting to drop his weapon, he spun the handle and struck the beast with the butt. A mighty crack echoed, and the stunned beast went limp with a pained cry.

    Color returned to Dawn¡¯s face as she raised her weapon. ¡°Can¡¯t let them have all the fun.¡± She rushed forward as a new threat emerged on flying wings.

    Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed as he tracked the green blur the size of a small terrier darted through the air. Activating Quick Wit, he watched Dawn whip her weapon out of her sheath and lop off its crystal-clear wing. The creature careened downwards, crashing into the ground with a shower of red and gold leaves.

    Dawn finished the winged monster off before the last leaves fluttered back down to the ground, green blood spilling out against the crimson foliage. She exhaled, gaze locked on to its blood with an odd expression of satisfaction.

    [Congratulations! You have killed Horse Fly. Level 2 Monster.]

    Joe raised his butterfly knives, readying a strike on the incoming winged creatures. But the monsters stalled as distant pained cries fell silent.

    Glancing toward TJ and Brian, they¡¯d hovered over the remaining tiger lily beasts they¡¯d dispatched. Unlike the Level 2 Horse Fly, Joe could only see question marks where the beasts¡¯ levels should be.

    A heavy scent of death filled the air, sending the rest of the green bugs in the overhead swarm to disperse better than a can of bug spray.

    [Tower Party: Dual Strike Skill earned.]

    ¡°Yip-yip!¡± Poppy¡¯s avatar blinked into Joe¡¯s view. ¡°Your team unlocked a skill. You want to know more about it?¡±

    A warm, fuzzy feeling washed over Joe despite their grim surroundings.

    [You have gained a level notification.]

    ¡°Thanks but no, Poppy.¡± Right now, Joe wanted to focus on Dawn. He¡¯d check his stats and assign his flex point to one of his attributes before it expired.

    ¡°Feeling better?¡± Joe asked, motioning to Dawn as her hands glowed around the green insect goo. It crystallized, and with a satisfied grin, she scooped it up in her hand.

    ¡°Much better. I love the smell of crystallized bug guts in the morning.¡±

    Curious, Joe stepped closer to examine it in her palm. ¡°I saw you do the same thing with the rainbow beetle goo. Why do you do that?¡±

    Dawn smirked. ¡°It¡¯s like alchemy. This goo is potent. Crystallizing it makes it easier to handle and use in our gear. Plus, it smells way better than raw bug guts.¡±

    The mention of alchemy got Brian¡¯s attention. He dusted his hands off and joined her side, inspecting the crystal.

    ¡°Be my guest.¡± She handed it to him.

    Brian held it up to the light, watching it sparkle. He stroked his beard as though he were in deep thought. ¡°Very interesting indeed. You realize this can be used for all sorts of applications, not dissimilar to Titan''s Tears. But a whole lot easier to obtain.¡±

    Dawn shrugged. ¡°Not so easy when you¡¯re surrounded by the bastards. I arrived on the first floor not far from the Greensnare.¡±

    TJ looked at her with newfound respect. ¡°And you survived?¡±

    ¡°Yes, because I wasn¡¯t stupid enough to take the titan on by myself. Unfortunately, it¡¯s riddled with parasites¡ªsome type of spore the size of a baby elephant. I saw the Greensnare shedding hundreds of them.¡±

    ¡°Then what happened?¡± TJ asked.

    ¡°I ran away from the titan as fast as I could. A dozen of those spores tracked me, and I managed to evade them in the jungle. Some fell afoul of poison traps laid by other adventurers. I was poisoned too, but my stats and health were high enough that I could still fight off eight of them.¡±

    ¡°Impressive.¡± Brian glanced from the crystal back to Dawn.

    ¡°Not really. Never corner a ratfolk. I might be a changeling now, but I fight like hell and never give up. It¡¯s the only way to survive back home. Here, there are perks. Killing eight of those damn things leveled me up twice, and the loot¡ªoh man, it was sweet,¡± she said, her voice turning nostalgic.

    ¡°So that¡¯s why you didn¡¯t respond to our party invite.¡± Joe twisted the cord on his hoodie.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t join you because I liked being on my own. I figured I¡¯d level up fast by grinding my way through more spores. I didn¡¯t account for how potent the damn poison was. What boils my piss, is it wasn¡¯t from a monster but another adventurer. If I find out who, they are dead.¡±

    ¡°Traps were set for the monsters, not for you. It¡¯s bad luck you were snared by one.¡± TJ tapped his machete on a tree trunk.

    ¡°You¡¯re a fool! Luck, good or bad, had nothing to do with it. I believe the adventurer who laid the trap hoped other ascenders would be poisoned. Monsters are driven to kill; that¡¯s their primal instinct. But trap-setting, backstabbing ascenders deserve to die slow and in pain, just like they wanted for those poisoned by their traps.¡±

    ¡°So what made you change your mind and join our party?¡± TJ sheathed his machete and crossed his arms.

    ¡°This system has a sneaky agenda.¡± Dawn¡¯s jawline set hard as she exhaled. ¡°I get the feeling there¡¯s more to this tower-climbing competition than the Lich has let on. He is a lying sack of shit. Not to mention, we all would have died in the tutorial when those rainbow bugs attacked if it wasn¡¯t for Joe¡¯s tracking skills. Something about that bug attack was way off, like we were set up.¡±

    A spark of heat pierced Joe¡¯s chest, the blue flame flickered and spoke in a mocking tone. ¡°Or you¡¯ve captured the attention of the tower.¡±

    Quick being so vague. Is the system testing me? Joe kept that thought between himself and the blue flame. And while you¡¯re here, how about telling me who the hell you are, and why I should listen to you?

    ¡°Tut tut, if I told you that it would spoil the intrigue, like opening presents before your birthday. For now trust your instincts and stay on the lich¡¯s good side.¡± The blue flame faded, leaving Joe¡¯s chest with a cooling sensation.

    Dawn glanced over her shoulder from the direction she came before shifting her gaze back to the group. ¡°I think people like Andras know the score and will take advantage of the system and corrupt other ascenders.¡±

    ¡°I feared as much.¡± Brian nodded. ¡°There¡¯s a reason he chose bard class. He can inspire others, and I have a feeling it won¡¯t be for the good of any other ascender except himself.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re lucky we sent you an invite.¡± TJ grinned.

    ¡°No, you¡¯re lucky I accepted. I had many offers.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± TJ¡¯s brows rose. ¡°Like who?¡±

    ¡°Andras, for starters.¡± She counted on her finger., ¡°Then some random guy called Sterling I met in the tutorial hall before Andras butted in and scared him off by flirting with him.¡± Pausing her count, she smiled. ¡°I almost considered joining Ryan¡¯s team¡ª¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Ryan?¡± Joe cut in a little too eager. His cheeks flushed, and he cleared his throat to shake off the embarrassment.

    Dawn didn¡¯t seem to notice. ¡°He¡¯s a really nice, friendly guy. Dunno what he was before, but he¡¯s a human-elf hybrid now. He¡¯s got a great big bushy beard and some cool weapons he tinkered with in the Green Zone.¡±

    ¡°And you said no to joining his party?¡± Brian asked, stroking his beard.

    ¡°Yeah, there was this haughty chick with him¡ªa human¡ªwho I didn¡¯t click with. So bossy and opinionated, you know the type.¡±

    Joe smiled and nodded. He wasn¡¯t going to point out the lack of self-awareness in Dawn.

    ¡°No way I was going to join Andras. So that left you guys. I¡¯ll be honest, you have to shape up fast. What are you, level¡­oh, QRL 4 now. Good, but you are lagging behind. Prove me wrong and show me you can rise up and fight the system with me. I¡¯m already a QRL 6. I¡¯ll be honest, I¡¯m here because I believe I can trust you and I see potential. Don¡¯t end up like Lucky. With your low life expectancy, you¡¯ll age fast if you rely on respawn tokens.¡±

    Joe sighed. ¡°I¡¯m with you on that. This system is skewed in favor of the time-rich and those that don¡¯t play by the rules, no matter what we¡¯re told by the Lich.¡±

    ¡°So where to next?¡± TJ looked around, almost dismayed there was nothing to fight.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be happy with my suggestion: anywhere there are monsters to kill so we can level up fast.¡±

    ¡°Well then, what are we waiting for?¡± TJ unsheathed his machete.

    ¡°You need to be clever.¡± Brian handed the crystallized bug guts back to Dawn. ¡°We were lucky¡ªnot only that we survived and killed those tiger lily beasts but also because they were a level or more above us. If we want to level up fast, we need to find more of these higher-level beasts.¡±

    ¡°Bingo!¡± Dawn pointed a finger at Brian. ¡°Low-level beasts aren¡¯t worth your time, and remember, time here is everything.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s our lifeblood,¡± Joe said. ¡°Dawn, can you lead us close enough to the Greensnare Guardian so we can fight spores?¡±

    ¡°Sure thing, Wonderboy. If you want to give your respawn token a spin and age a few years. I¡¯m not going back there unless we have another party member.¡±

    TJ¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Yeah, but you single-handedly killed eight of them. Are you saying four of us couldn¡¯t do that?¡±

    ¡°You could try but will most likely die. I used my surroundings¡ªpoison traps remember? Then, I got the hell out of dodge and accepted your invite,¡± Dawn said, her hands crackling with a fiery, molten glow.

    Joe tapped his thigh, knowing what she said made sense, but he¡¯d no idea of who and where to find someone they could trust to join their faction. ¡°You seem to have met more ascenders, have you got anyone in mind who¡¯d be a good fit for our party?¡±

 Chapter 12: Every Rose Has Its Thorn

    ¡°I met plenty of people in the green room,¡± Dawn said, leaning against a tree, ¡°self-absorbed elves, humans, hybrids, and changelings mostly. But are any of them a good fit for our little adventure party? Maybe one or two come to mind, but I¡¯ll be damned if I know how we find them on a floor as big as this one. Unless any of you have a teleportation skill,¡± she finished, glancing at TJ, while arching a skeptical brow.

    ¡°Nobody likes a smart ass, Dawn,¡± TJ snapped, his upper lip twitching. ¡°You might be two levels above us, but you aren¡¯t hot shit, so stop acting like it.¡± Rustling in the bushes put him on high alert. He took on a guarded stance, head cocked and listening intently.

    Joe¡¯s Quick Wit kicked in, and he realized there was nothing dangerous closing in on them.

    Mustering all his patience, Joe shot TJ and Dawn a stern look. ¡°Come on, man, I know you¡¯re a rage fuelled Outsider but put your anger to better use like fighting monsters. And Dawn, save your sarcasm for those who deserve it, like Andras. You¡¯re a Paladin, but that doesn¡¯t mean you have to be self-righteous. We¡¯re a team now.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s glare could cut glass. ¡°Well, team, I was transported here, so I¡¯ve no idea how to find my way back to the Greensnare, never mind locate other trustworthy ascenders. Think before you ask me to do the impossible.¡±

    Raising both hands, Brian stepped in like a concerned parent trying to sort out a couple of angry toddlers. ¡°Be fair Dawn. It¡¯s difficult but not impossible. We need a map¡ªone that highlights shortcuts and is accessible through the system interface would be ideal.¡±

    Joe¡¯s spirit lifted at the suggestion. Tao was the best at navigating maps, but Joe had learned a thing or two during their gameplay. He gestured to TJ and Dawn to remain alert while he got some answers to his burning questions.

    ¡°Hey Poppy, how do we get access to maps for each floor?¡±

    The little Kaiju avatar leapt into his vision, a stream of pixels trailing her like a tether. ¡°Hi, Joe! You can get map when QRL 5 AND get loot from big bad monsters. Yip-Yip! Sometimes get map from quests or buy from Casper the curator, but that costs much time. Not good.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Poppy.¡± Joe grinned, grateful for the information. He turned to Dawn, the only member of the party above level five. ¡°You mentioned you got loot after killing the titan¡¯s spores. Any chance there was a map?¡±

    Dawn¡¯s gaze turned inward as if searching her inventory. Her look then turned sheepish. ¡°Damn, I missed that. Oh, your party invite distracted me. Looks like I earned a basic map for the first floor.¡±

    ¡°Better than nothing, I suppose,¡± TJ said, his voice biting back his begrudging respect.

    Joe edged closer, eager to know more. ¡°That¡¯s excellent, Dawn. Does it show where we are in relation to the Greensnare?¡±

    Dawn chewed her cheek, her face the picture of concentration. After a breath, her gaze snapped back to them. ¡°Okay, it¡¯s better than I expected.¡± She grabbed a stick and cleared leaves from the ground, exposing dark soil. She drew a square and made gestures with the stick as she continued to talk. ¡°Here, here, and here¡­¡± Her stick prodded the soft earth. ¡°are clusters of green ascenders. There are some oranges and reds scattered here, here, and here. Smack bang in the center is where we are.¡±

    TJ pointed to a large green leaf. ¡°Is that the Greensnare Titan?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Dawn said, losing enthusiasm. ¡°That¡¯s a leaf.¡±

    Brian slowly nodded. ¡°What¡¯s the scale of your map. If we¡¯re in the center, how distant are we from that cluster of green ascenders and wherever the Titan is?¡±

    ¡°Not as far as I first thought,¡± Dawn said. ¡°With a light jog, we can bypass that cluster of greens. My recommendation is to find one there to join our party.¡± She let her stick trail away from the cluster a short distance to the right, then stuck it into the ground. ¡°That¡¯s where the Greensnare is hiding. My guess is green ascenders are already banding together to fight off deadly spores.¡±

    TJ balled his fists and kicked the stick, sending it flying. ¡°Now we know where we¡¯re heading¡­ Let¡¯s go.¡±

    They all looked at Dawn, and Joe gestured ahead of them. ¡°How about you and TJ lead the way?¡±

    TJ cleared the greenery with his BK machete, revealing an open path ahead.

    Dawn sneered at TJ. ¡°You know, for a blunt instrument, you¡¯re pretty useful.¡± She turned to the group with a smirk. ¡°Try to keep up, boys! I don¡¯t have all day!¡± With that, she took off down the path.

    Brian chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Always a ray of sunshine, that one,¡± he said, his dark hair falling over his eyes as he adjusted his gear. ¡°TJ, you might be a blunt instrument, but sometimes that¡¯s exactly what we need. Just don¡¯t let it go to your head.¡±

    TJ rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t hide a small grin. ¡°Thanks for the pep talk, Dad.¡± He sliced through some more overgrown vines. ¡°Now, let¡¯s see if we can keep up with Her Majesty over there.¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but laugh as he followed them down the path. ¡°Onward, then. Let¡¯s find ourselves a new teammate and squash some spores.¡±

    ***

    The group moved down the path, Joe at the rear, keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble.

    It didn''t take long for trouble to find them.

    ¡°There!¡± Joe yelled.

    A pack of tiger lily beasts burst through the underbrush, their vibrant petals stark against their vicious fangs and thorny hides.

    [Tiger Lily, Level 4]

    ¡°Here we go again!¡± TJ shouted, charging forward, machete flashing in the dappled light.

    Brian took aim with his crossbow, bolts whizzing past Joe''s ears. The first bolt completely missed, embedding itself in a tree. The second hit a tiger lily beast, but only grazed it, sending shards of green blood splattering the nearby foliage.

    Hands crackling with fiery energy, Dawn unleashed a blast that seared through the pack, the smell of scorched vegetation filling the air.

    Joe activated Quick Wit, dodging a swipe from a beast¡¯s thorny claws. He caught a glimpse of movement ahead and heard shouts in the distance. ¡°Sounds like other ascenders!¡± he called out.

    They needed to finish this fight fast, there were bigger fish to fry than Level 4 beasts. Joe saw the tiger lilies regrouping for another assault. ¡°TJ, Brian, Dawn¡ªlet¡¯s wrap this up!¡±

    Brian fired another bolt, this time hitting a beast square in the chest. It roared in pain, green blood spraying from the wound. TJ took the opening, slashing his machete through its neck, severing its head.

    ¡°Time to repent you thorny motherfucker!¡± Dawn followed up with a searing blast of holy flame, incinerating another beast that lunged at her.

    Joe darted in, his butterfly knives finding their mark on the exposed underbellies of two more beasts. They collapsed, writhing and hissing, before falling still.

    The last tiger lily beast charged at TJ, who sidestepped and swung his machete in a wide arc. The blade cut through the beast¡¯s legs, sending it crashing to the ground. Dawn finished it off with a fiery strike, the smell of burnt petals filling the air.

    With the immediate threat eliminated, the group quickly checked the fallen beasts. As the last one fell, a familiar chime echoed in Joe¡¯s mind.

    [Tiger Lily Defeated! Level 4 Monster.]

    [Reward: Monster Core Received.]

    Joe felt a warm sensation in his hand as a glistening monster core appeared, its energy pulsing slightly. ¡°Got one!¡± he called out, holding it up. A level up and level 4 mana core brought a smile to his face.

    TJ wiped blood from his machete and glanced at his own hand where another core had materialized. ¡°Sweet! Got mine too.¡±

    Brian and Dawn looked at their hands, each now holding a glowing core. ¡°Celebrate later. Let¡¯s grab these and move,¡± Brian said, his eyes scanning the treeline for any additional threats.

    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    [Bonus Rewards for Rogue Class.]

    [You have received: Shadow Step Ability - Temporarily increases stealth and speed.]

    Joe felt a rush of energy as the new ability was integrated into his skills. ¡°Shadow Step, huh? This could be useful.¡±

    Dawn arched an eyebrow. ¡°Just don¡¯t use it to sneak up on me, Wonderboy.¡±

    Joe smirked. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it. Unless you need a good scare.¡±

    Alert and with weapons drawn, they moved on, the distant shouts of alarm growing louder, each cry tightening the knot of dread in Joe''s stomach. His grip on his butterfly knives tightened, the sounds ahead making his pulse quicken. Every step felt heavier as the tension mounted, the echoes of the shouts painting vivid pictures of the chaos they were about to face.

    As they emerged into a clearing, the scene hit Joe like a punch to the gut. Green Zone ascenders writhed in a desperate struggle, swarmed by monstrous spores that latched onto them, tearing flesh with sickening efficiency. The ground was a battlefield of fallen orange and red ascenders, their bodies flickering and vanishing in bursts of hazy rainbow lights as their respawn tokens activated. The air was thick with the sound of final screams, now hauntingly empty as they echoed and faded.

    Through the chaos, Joe spotted a lone ascender in a green hoodie casting a water spell. Two spores, resembling giant phage viruses the size of small bears, closed in on the hooded figure.

    ¡°Brian! Hit those spores with your alchemy bolts!¡± Joe shouted. He sent his butterfly knives flying, but they rebounded uselessly off the spores¡¯ tough exteriors. ¡°Damn, too low level!¡±

    Brian¡¯s dark hair fell over his eyes as he adjusted his aim. ¡°On it!¡±

    He fired, the bolt trailing a line of bright blue alchemical energy before exploding against the nearest spore. The creature screeched, its gelatinous body rippling from the impact. The damage was minimal, but it slowed the spore down. Brian immediately loaded another bolt, his large form moving with surprising speed. The second bolt flew past the target, landing on the ground.

    Joe reached into his pouch, pulling out a smoke pellet. ¡°Time for some smoke!¡± He tossed it at the spores, and they recoiled, hissing in disgust. Using his rogue stealth, Joe darted forward, grabbing the stunned ascender in green and pulling them to safety.

    The ascender, a young woman with striking, classic Hollywood features, looked displeased, and Joe initially thought it was directed at him. She had that old black-and-white movie star look, even in a green hoodie and cargo pants. Her dark, wavy hair was upstyled like she was ready for a red carpet and she moved like a runway model but without the pout. Her pale skin and pointed ears marked her as a dark elf.

    ¡°Hey, Rose!¡± Dawn waved, a smirk on her face. ¡°Nice to see you¡¯ve improved your skills since you doused me in the green zone common room. Guess you¡¯ve gotten used to being a dark elf human hybrid.¡±

    Rose flicked off debris from her immaculate hair, her expression icy. ¡°Nice to see you¡¯re still as charming as a troll under a bridge.¡±

    Brian¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°By the beard of my ancestors, she looks like a goddess,¡± he said, awe in his voice, his eyes wide with admiration.

    TJ rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Focus, lover boy,¡± he grunted, his machete swinging green blood droplets with every strike.

    ¡°Team up on the spores!¡± Joe ordered. ¡°Strike in tandem and then together for the bonus!¡±

    Brian¡¯s next alchemy bolt hit the second spore, causing another explosion that left the creature staggered but still formidable. TJ darted in, machete slicing through the air with a whistle. He struck with precision, cutting into the spore''s side. The creature let out a guttural screech, thick green ichor oozing from the wound, but it was still standing strong.

    Dawn was right behind him, her fiery hands glowing. She launched a concentrated burst of flame, hitting the spore at the same spot TJ had struck. The combined heat and blade left the creature writhing, its body beginning to weaken.

    Brian took another shot. This time, his bolt hit dead center, the explosion sending chunks of the creature flying.

    Joe threw another smoke pellet, obscuring their movements and causing the spore to hesitate, its tendrils blindly flailing.

    ¡°Now, TJ!¡± Joe yelled.

    TJ charged in, his machete flashing as he delivered a series of rapid strikes, each one chipping away at the spore¡¯s tough exterior. Dawn followed up with another blast of fire, her eyes reflecting the flames she conjured. The spore finally collapsed in a heap, its body dissolving into a pool of green sludge.

    Joe¡¯s gaming instincts kicked in as he watched Rose join the fray, her earlier disdain replaced by focused determination. She cast powerful water spells, and he quickly realized they weren''t just ordinary water spells. From his countless hours of gaming, he recognized the telltale signs of a debuff¡ªRose''s spells seemed to induce a necrotic effect, like programmed cell death, weakening the spores and making them more susceptible to their attacks.

    ¡°That¡¯s some advanced crowd control,¡± Joe said, impressed.

    Rose¡¯s water spells caused the spores to shrivel and deteriorate, their movements slowing as they lost vitality. It was like watching in ¡®fast forward¡¯ mode, someone pour salt water on slugs.

    The coordinated effort paid off. With the spores weakened by Rose''s necrotic spells, TJ, Brian, and Dawn¡¯s attacks hit harder and more effectively. Joe darted in with his butterfly knives, finding the weakened spots with precision. Dawn¡¯s fiery blasts seared through the now fragile spores, and Brian¡¯s alchemy bolts struck true.

    With a final, combined strike causing twenty percent damage, the spores fell, disintegrating into pools of green sludge. Joe couldn¡¯t help but nod in appreciation at Rose¡¯s technique, their teamwork overcoming the deadly threat.

    He glanced at Brian, whose awe-filled expression mirrored his own thoughts.

    ¡°Looks like we found our fifth party member,¡± Brian said, his voice tinged with amazement.

    Every Rose Has Its Thorn sprung to Joe''s mind. "Let¡¯s hope she says yes and sticks around for the encore.¡±

    [Bonus achieved! Level up!]

    Joe felt the rush of leveling up, the familiar warm, fuzzy feeling spreading through him once again. He glanced at his teammates, seeing the same exhilaration on their faces.

    ¡°Nice work, everyone,¡± Joe said, breathing heavily. ¡°Now, let''s see if we can keep this momentum going. Or at least try not to die a horrible death and have to use a respawn token.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Brian smirked, his eyes twinkling with dark humor. ¡°Because dying attractively is so much better.¡±

    TJ snorted. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s aim for dying with style if we can¡¯t manage survival.¡±

    Rose glanced back, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Try not to ruin my immaculate appearance while you¡¯re at it.¡±

    Dawn rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, please. Your ''immaculate appearance'' won¡¯t save you from a spore¡¯s tentacle.¡±

    Rose smirked, flicking her raven hair back. ¡°Unlike your sparkling personality, which I¡¯m sure repels everything.¡±

    Joe raised his voice. ¡°Let¡¯s move, folks.¡±

    ??The jungle foliage cast intricate shadows on the ground as Joe activated Quick Wit, focusing on the sounds around him while following Dawn''s lead toward the location of the Greensnare. He had sent an invite to Rose, but like Dawn, she didn¡¯t accept it straight away. She had her reasons, she said, unsure if she liked the group yet. Joe couldn''t blame her for using caution; they needed to trust each other if they were going to survive this tower. He exhaled, thinking about the number of floors they still had to climb, a mystery Poppy wouldn¡¯t reveal, as vague as that damn blue flame.

    Joe¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by the murmur of Rose and Brian discussing the Battlebox. Rose had won her initial tutorial round, gaining five extra ascender years like Andras.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have any more practice rounds?¡± Rose shook her head, looking slightly regretful. ¡°I still plan to use my final one for this floor when I return to the Green Zone.¡±

    Brian huffed. ¡°You got three practice rounds to test out your MadOrbz?¡±

    Rose nodded.

    Dropping back a couple of steps, Joe glanced from Dawn to Rose. ¡°This is what you were saying, Dawn¡ªthose who are already time-rich get more chances to practice than those who are time-poor.¡±

    Dawn looked over her shoulder, her expression serious. ¡°People are going to want your time.¡±

    Rose raised a brow. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing you can¡¯t buy from the curator.¡±

    Brian raised a finger. ¡°But that ratfolk did find a time crystal out here on the floor.¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°You can buy practically anything from the curator, but even with time crystals available, you can¡¯t buy time. Why else do you think the lich provided us with respawn tokens? The greedy bastard¡¯s like a bloodsucking horseleech taking our time away from us, and for what? So we¡¯ll be more desperate and stop at nothing to reach the jackpot of immortality?¡±

    Joe twirled one of his butterfly knives. ¡°Time couldn¡¯t be bought from where I came from... it was a gift, one that you could treasure or easily waste without trying. But here, we need it for survival.¡±

    His chest pulsed with a fiery prickle. ¡°What makes the clock tick, Joe?¡± the blue flame mocked, its voice echoing alongside the clicking and image of the cat¡¯s paw from that ancient shop he visited before he died.

    Joe¡¯s mouth went dry as the unsettling image faded along with the blue flame¡¯s presence.

    Dawn glanced back, a challenge in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯d love it if you¡¯d prove me wrong and fight the system. Orange or Red hoodies¡­ be the exception.¡±

    Click. Click. Click.

    ¡°Are you even listening--¡±

    ¡°Look out!¡± Joe suddenly flung his butterfly knife past Rose.

    It became apparent what the damn clicking noise was as soon as a rainbow beetle bug latched its claws onto Rose¡¯s hoodie. She yelled, thrashing side to side to shake it off.

    Choking back her laugh, Dawn pivoted, her hands igniting with glow as she launched a fiery blast towards the beetle bug, while Brian released a bolt of alchemical energy. In a clash of white smoke, their combined attack disintegrated the beetlebug, splattering its orange guts across the fronds.

    ¡°Hey Rose,¡± Dawn crouched down to grab a leaf off the ground. Handing it to Rose she smiled sweetly. ¡° Use this before it dries in. You got some orange goo in your hair.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you very much.¡± Rose refused with a look of disgust betraying her polite tone. Leaning to one side she let her hair flow like a midnight waterfall. Water swirled from her palm and doused her soiled hair until it was spotless.

    [Unnamed Faction level up! Congratulations, Bronze Rank Faction, QRL2.]

    ¡°Nice, now I¡¯ve got 13 strength!¡± TJ kicked the remains, smirking.

    Rose¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything except kick its dead body just now?¡±

    TJ smirked. ¡°You should have joined our party. If you had, you¡¯d have gotten credit for the kill, but you know...¡±

    ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Rose walked on, smiling like the Mona Lisa.

    [System notification: Rose has accepted your invite.]

    [You have reached the party limit of five active ascenders. You can now name your faction.]

 Chapter 13: Name Game

    Finding a name wasn¡¯t hard, but choosing one they all agreed on was brutal. Using her map, Dawn led the way. Marching with confident strides, she called out so many suggestions Joe lost count.

    ¡°How about Active Ascenders?¡± Joe asked, glancing around as they trudged through the dense jungle. Distant sounds of battle echoed through the trees, a constant reminder that danger was never more than a heartbeat away.

    ¡°Boring,¡± Dawn called over her shoulder. ¡°Dawn¡¯s Devastators has a more exciting ring to it.¡±

    ¡°Hey princess.¡± TJ hacked and slashed his way through the stubborn vines that dared cross his path and try to ensnare him. ¡°Get over yourself, we¡¯re not naming our faction after you.¡±

    The whole group murmured their thoughts aloud, but no more suggestions followed.

    Joe rolled his eyes. ¡°Surely we can think of a decent name between us, having the brightest minds across the known universe and having slain countless beasts. Oh, how about The Metal Slayers?¡± A grin played on his lips, thinking of the metal band inspiration.

    Towering beside him, Brian shook his head. ¡°Needs more impact. My mother always said a good name comes from the heart.¡±

    Dawn rolled her eyes and shared a look of agreement with TJ. ¡°How about Heart Smashers?¡±

    Joe was sure he had heard that name before and it was important for some reason, but it was like his mind was Swiss cheese and he feared over time he¡¯d lose even more of his old life and along with it, himself. By the time he reached the jackpot, would he recognize who he was anymore? He shoved that dark thought deep down into the dark rivers of his heart. He chose to focus on happier memories that he could recall. ¡°My pals Tao and Kyle were always good at this stuff. We need something that lets other factions know what they¡¯re dealing with without giving any secrets away.¡±

    Rose flicked a wisp of hair from her brow, the heat like a devil unraveling all her meticulous grooming. ¡°I¡¯d prefer something a bit more refined, like The Harmonious Alliance. It suggests elegance and unity.¡±

    TJ grinned, showing his teeth. ¡°You all have no taste. We need a name that strikes fear into our enemies. How about The Warhounds or Bloodfuries? Sounds savage enough.¡±

    Brian looked deep in thought, his eyes narrow and fixed in concentration. ¡°How about The Enormous Enforcers?¡±

    Joe laughed. ¡°Or we could just mash them all together and confuse everyone. ¡®The Metal Devastators of the Harmonious Warhound Enforcers.¡¯ Rolls right off the tongue.¡±

    Dawn smirked. ¡°Sure, Joe, if we want to spend more time explaining our name than fighting.¡±

    Rose shook her head. ¡°I¡¯d vote for something inspiring like the Rebel Alliance.¡±

    TJ shrugged. ¡°As long as it sounds like we can crush our enemies, I¡¯m in.¡±

    ¡°Using my name will strike the fear of God and all the armies of hell combined into any dumb shit that dares mess with us,¡± said Dawn, ripping a thick fern leaf with one smooth motion.

    Joe held up his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s take a vote before Dawn¡¯s head gets too big for her green hoodie.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s lip curled up in a mock sneer. ¡°Jealousy doesn¡¯t look good on you, Joe.¡±

    ¡°You got me. I¡¯ll do better.¡± Joe shook his head and laughed. ¡°Alright, everyone, pick your top name and let¡¯s see who wins this round.¡±

    After a heated debate and a few more laughs, they finally settled on a name that everyone could agree on.

    ¡°We are the Titan Slayers,¡± Joe announced, feeling a surge of hope as the team nodded in agreement.

    A system update appeared in his vision.

    [Faction: Titan Slayers

    Bronze Rank Faction, QRL 2

    Active Ascenders: 5

    Non-Active Ascenders: 0]

    Joe scanned the faction benefits. He¡¯d noted the one TJ referred to before Rose joined the party. Sure enough, even though the former kobold hadn¡¯t significantly contributed to the kill TJ received +2 points to his highest stat¡ªstrength, for being an active faction member. At the time, Joe¡¯s own highest stat, dexterity, gained two points. With his own level up, he¡¯d earned a flex point that he still needed to assign.

    Another added bonus of the faction was that his defensive weave had increased by +5% damage resistance since the faction formed. That, plus his basic hoodie armor, gave him fifteen percent, a much needed boost since his constitution was at the lower end.

    The active ascenders tab pulsed. Focusing, the tab opened and Joe¡¯s eyes widened.

    A bit of guilt washed over him as he skimmed each of the faction members¡¯ stats. Rose¡¯s class was a mage, with water and earth affinities. And Dawn, her changeling and paladin class gave her wind and fire affinities. Both of them were powerful¡ªboth green hoodies, but Rose¡¯s ascender number listed as 175. All of their attributes were visible. Could they see this?

    Joe glanced around the group, Dawn¡¯s face set hard with glazed eyes. ¡°Did you see the benefits of a faction?¡±

    Laughing, TJ doubled over. ¡°I told you I could kick some ass. My strength is the highest of all of you.¡±

    Brian tilted his chin up. ¡°Seems our faction is well-balanced.¡±

    ¡°Agreed.¡± Joe closed the faction stats. ¡°There¡¯s no sense in trying to hide anything if we want to survive the Lich¡¯s game.¡±

    ***

    Joe tugged on his hoodie strings trying not to let the heat and humidity get to him. The rest of the team seemed to feel it too as they adjusted their hoods and wiped away glistening sweat.

    He tipped a water flask to his lips, letting the cool liquid swirl in his mouth as he checked his own stats to assign his flex point. Even though his constitution was low, his strength was embarrassingly weak with only two points.

    He cleared his throat and dropped the flex point into strength. As a rogue, he¡¯d not need to rely on strength, but back in his past life¡ªhe felt strange referring it to as such¡ªhe¡¯d only ever been able to bench press the bar without weights. Here, he had a chance to optimize himself with stat distribution. He could make a change.

    After the short break with everyone learning more about each other¡¯s stats, Dawn gave them a map update using her love for colorful language with a dollop of sarcasm to describe what she was seeing.¡±Ha! What a fucking surprise. From what I can see, Greens and Oranges are sticking together, no Reds need apply.¡±

    ¡°Birds of a feather flocking together.¡± Job rubbed his neck, things weren¡¯t so different back home. ¡°Are you saying you see lots of green dots bundled together in groups across the map and the same for orange?¡±

    ¡°Yeah mostly, I mean there are some lone ranger types, a few are green but many more are orange and red. They are scattered away from the larger groups as if they¡¯re avoiding them.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t blame them,¡± TJ said. ¡°If I was an Orange or Red zoner out here on my own, I¡¯d stay clear of a groups made up entirely of Green zoners. Solid advice for us too, until we¡¯re much stronger, they¡¯ll see us Orange zoners as the weak links in this faction¡­¡± His eyes circled the group, a mixture of green and orange zoners. ¡°If we kill the titan first nobody will fuck with us no matter what color we are.¡±

    Rose arched her brow. ¡°You honestly think they¡¯ll risk fighting other factions on this floor instead of monsters, I thought there were penalties for that?¡±

    ¡°Fighting amongst ascenders? No, there¡¯s only a penalty for that inside the Battlebox.¡± Brian took out a glass bottle of mana and offered it around. ¡°Out here, anything goes I¡¯m afraid, and I¡¯m sure you all recall being told that our time can be stolen. Why waste energy and resources when you can gang up on weaker opponents and steal their time, even a single ratfolk has the best part of twenty years up for grabs.¡±

    Joe glanced down at his orange hoodie and pants. So focused on his class, skills and QRL level he¡¯d never really thought of them being seen as weak links by other ascenders? Looking up he caught Dawn¡¯s gaze right before she broke away to drink what Brian had offered her. Once she was finished, she handed it to Joe who took a swig before passing it on to TJ. It tasted like cherry flavored cough syrup and warmed his chest going down.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    A chill replaced it. With a jackpot of immortality at stake, how long before they¡¯d be forced to turn on each other? Joe chased that thought away before it had time to take root and fester.

    Every system could be hacked.

    He didn¡¯t know how yet, but he¡¯d find a way¡­ they¡¯d all survive the tower.

    ¡°We have the advantage of knowing where other ascenders are thanks to Dawn. I agree for now we should keep a low profile, we don¡¯t want to end up in a territorial pissing match with other ascenders this close to the Greensnare.¡±

    ¡°Way I see it, we have two choices.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes drifted on ahead, her tone turning grim. ¡°We can hoof it in that direction where there¡¯s a break in the jungle canopy. Looks like a stupid convention¡¯s going on there filled with ascenders who think they can fight a shit ton of spores, or we can go through this dodgy looking area filled with traps.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯d you know it¡¯s filled with traps?¡± TJ asked, his jaw tense.

    Dawn rolled her eyes. ¡°I told you already. I was snared in a trap before being magically teleported to you guys.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t see the map, Dawn, so how the hell would I know it¡¯s the same place you let yourself get caught in a trap?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t LET myself get caught,¡± Dawn snapped, the slightest movement of her changeling form cast an eerie shadow that writhed across the jungle floor. By the twitch of her brow she looked like she was about to slap TJ. ¡°I was being chased by spores¡ª¡±

    ¡°Speaking of spores,¡± Joe cut in before a no-holds-barred rumble in the jungle broke out between them. ¡°Do their positions light up on the map now like killer mobs or something?¡±

    ¡°No, my map¡¯s too basic for that. I know there are spores surrounding those ascenders given how close they are to the Greensnare¡¯s location on the map. Those damn fools can¡¯t see it. I figure a titan plant like that is using the jungle to camouflage its position while it shits spores from every orifice.¡±

    ¡°So you want to go the route where we can fall into traps and get poisoned. Real smart, Dawn.¡± TJ¡¯s brows snapped together as his eyes circled the group. ¡°I thought we¡¯d decided to take down as many of those spore motherfuckers as we can to level up fast. Traps don¡¯t fight back.¡±

    Brian nodded. ¡°TJ has a point. While falling into traps might get you some poison resistance, it¡¯s not worth dying over. Observing those ascenders who died out here on the first floor and what we know happened to Lucky in the tutorial, they all respawned in their associated green, orange, or red zone common rooms. Each time they respawn, they physically age a year, but that¡¯s not what concerns me most¡­¡±

    The ground shook, forcing them all to drop low and steady themselves.

    ¡°Go on, Brian, what concerns you most? And also, what the hell was that?¡± TJ gripped his weapon.

    ¡°Spore shedding,¡± Rose said, as if it were obvious. ¡°This time in far greater numbers.¡±

    Dawn clenched her fists. ¡°Some fucker got there before us. The Greensnare sheeding more spores because it¡¯s under attack.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind.¡± Brian¡¯s face paled. ¡°Respawning back in one of the three zones being a massive time waster is not what concerns me most¡­ if someone outside our party has engaged the Greensnare in a boss battle, we¡¯re locked out of the fight.¡±

    ¡°Until one of them dies,¡± Joe finished, his stomach twisting at the thought of them falling behind. If they were locked out of the fight, it meant lost opportunities and precious time slipping away.

    Joe could feel his pulse quicken, the jungle closing in around them. Every rustle of leaves, every distant cry of battle, felt like it was amplifying the pressure.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not lose our heads,¡± Joe said, taking a deep breath. ¡°We need a plan. Dawn, how close are we to the Greensnare?¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes glazed over as she glanced at the map, her expression tight. ¡°Not far. Maybe a ten-minute run through trap territory if we push it.¡±

    ¡°Then we push it,¡± Joe said, the decision clear in his mind. ¡°I¡¯ll use Quick Wit and take the lead with Dawn to watch for traps and spores. When we get closer to the Greensnare, we scope out the situation, and we figure out how to get in on the action. If someone¡¯s already fighting, we¡¯ll find a way to back them up or take over if they fall.¡±

    TJ grinned, a savage light in his eyes. ¡°Now that¡¯s the kind of plan I can get behind.¡±

    Brian hefted his crossbow, his expression like steel. ¡°Fortune favors the bold, let¡¯s take this titan down.¡±

    ¡°Stay sharp.¡± Rose¡¯s eyes glinted with a mix of excitement and focus. She swished her head like a model from a hair product commercial, long locks flowing with volume highlighted her hybrid dark elf and human appearance. ¡±This could get messy.¡±

    ¡°This is it, let¡¯s prove we¡¯re the Titan Slayers and strike fear in the hearts of ascenders stupid enough to think we¡¯re easy pickin¡¯s.¡± Joe grinned at TJ who gave him a thumbs up. Then he nodded to Dawn and they set off at a sprint.

    The jungle blurred around him. Joe¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, not just from the exertion, but from the adrenaline and mana coursing through his veins as he scanned the area with Quick Wit activated.

    Joe skidded to a halt. He could tell by the confused look on everyone¡¯s faces that they¡¯d yet to hear the gods awful sound.

    The pained groan was distant.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Dawn brushed shoulders with him, her eyes following his gaze.

    ¡°Not sure yet, thought I heard something. Check your map. Any lone ascenders further along the path out of view, not moving, possibly injured?¡±

    TJ, Brian, and Rose crowded them from behind.

    They¡¯d had a close call with a tripwire releasing poison darts. Dawn would have been a pincushion if it wasn¡¯t for Joe¡¯s Quick Wit skill. After that they¡¯d stuck close together keeping alert for traps while keeping a brisk pace.

    It was clear by the permanent scowl on TJ¡¯s face that he was itching to take down whoever laid the traps in the first place.

    Dawn finished examining the map. ¡°Okay, there¡¯s no lone ascender up ahead as far as I can tell¡­¡± Her eyes glazed over as she refocused her attention. She shook her head and took Joe by the arm, her tone turning grave. ¡°You know those groups we¡¯ve been avoiding?¡±

    Nodding, his heart skipped a beat.

    ¡°They¡¯re heading this way fast. It¡¯s a mix of greens, oranges, and reds. Looks like they¡¯re being chased.¡±

    Joe felt blood drain from his face. If they ran to avoid them they¡¯d trigger traps along the path. ¡°Weapons out.¡± He pointed to a vine covered wall up ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s take cover there and plan our next move.¡±

    TJ¡¯s grin was as sharp as his blade. ¡°Look on the bright side guys. They¡¯ll be too busy fighting for survival to bother stealing time from us.¡±

    Joe wasn¡¯t so sure about that, there were too many variables at play.

    A low groan caught his attention. His eyes darted left to right looking for the source but there were no signs of movement. It was less distant than before and sounded tormented. If Dawn couldn¡¯t spot an ascender close by in that direction, was it possible the sound belonged to a creature snared in a trap?

    Joe¡¯s first instinct was to find the source and put the creature out of its misery. A cold voice rang clear in his mind. The blue flame made its presence known

    You¡¯re already too late, I¡¯m afraid. It¡¯s beyond saving.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Joe hissed, ¡°you¡¯re nothing but an attention loving, soul sucking leech.¡±

    Why, thank you! That¡¯s the nicest thing anyone ever said to me.

    Joe suppressed the sick lurch in his stomach as the blue flame laughed darkly. The sound echoed in his mind like a cruel taunt until the entity¡¯s presence faded once more.

    Sucking in a breath, Joe tamped down his frustration and anger. He wasn¡¯t a rage fueled barbarian in one of his games, it wouldn¡¯t serve him well out here.

    Patience. That¡¯s what Joe needed. And information too. Yeah, patience and a little information about what he was dealing with, so when the time came he¡¯d exercise the invader from his soul, once and for all.

    Best not wait too long. It might take up permanent residence in his soul and evict everything that was Joe. It was then that he realized everyone was staring at him.

    ¡°What¡¯s your problem?¡± TJ growled.

    Joe¡¯s cheeks flushed and the jungle felt like it was closing in on him. Rubbing the back of his neck, he flashed a crooked grin. ¡°Eh, sorry about that. I wasn¡¯t talking about you. Thinking out loud about that damn Lich and his stupid games.¡±

    TJ arched a thick eyebrow. ¡°Damn heat¡¯s messing with your mind by the looks of it.¡± He barked a cough, clutching his side.

    Brian made a move toward him, waving a cloth in his hand. ¡°Here use this, looks like the heat is getting to you too.¡±

    Taking the cloth TJ mopped his forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t know what came over me. Feel a bit sick. Strange as I¡¯ve always had an iron stomach.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not a kobold anymore.¡± Brian kept his voice measured. ¡°I read somewhere that humans can have delicate stomachs.¡±

    ¡°Nothing delicate about me.¡±

    Dawn raised her hand, her knuckles popping as she curled it into a tight fist. ¡°Shut your traps you two before I throw you both into one and leave you there. Map says we¡¯ve got company.¡± She nodded towards the vines they were to take cover behind, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°Move it.¡±

    Brian furrowed his brows. ¡°That¡¯s more like trapping us as sitting ducks.¡±

    ¡°I don''t want us to take any chances until we know what we¡¯re up against.¡± Joe gestured to the vines. ¡°We''re not backing down from a fight, only choosing our experience for how we level up.¡±

    Rose leapt into the vines, her back against the wall. ¡°Let''s not make enemies. We can let them pass, and then we''ll sneak attack whatever''s chasing them.¡±

    Dawn nodded as she joined Rose¡¯s side. ¡°Once we attack, it will make us look like we got their backs.¡±

    Gripping his machete, TJ narrowed his eyes at the direction of the growing yells. ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll tell them to stop before they reach the traps.¡±

    The growing thuds of downed plants grew stronger, as the first peek of a red hoodie flashed through the foliage. Its wearer, a ratfolk glanced over his shoulder, his eyes wide with panic. ¡°Get out, get out Rawlings.¡± He huffed as he leapt across a small broken branch. For such a nimble creature, he moved so stiff and slow as if jumping took too much effort.

    The gray browed ratfolk stalled as its tail tugged straight back causing his body to jolt to a stop and crash down. ¡°No, I have every chance as you.¡± His voice shuddered. ¡°Even if my bones ache, I won¡¯t let you have my time.¡±

    Joe held his breath, his shoulders tensed as the once taut tail curled around the red hoodie like a comforting arm.

    Out of the thicket, another orange hoodie, this one a kobold, sprinted past the ratfolk sprawled on the ground. ¡°Not in my jungle. You¡¯re spore meat, Rawlings!¡±

    Rawlings, the ratfolk coughed and slowly rose, rubbing his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t want to respawn again.¡± He stammered forward, one leg hobbling behind the other.

    A blast of water from Rose¡¯s hands thrust overhead of the ratfolk.

    Joe took a sharp breath. The stalking predator, round and bulbous, waltzed on tall spindly legs.

    ¡°Spores!¡± Dawn yelled as she leapt away from the wall, blade extended.

 Chapter 14: Canary in a Coal Mine

    "Damn, the size of that thing!" Joe muttered, watching as Rose¡¯s attack slid off the spore like water off a duck¡¯s back. He was grateful they weren¡¯t directly in its path. But that poor ratfolk¡­

    He looks old. How many respawns has the poor guy gone through?

    Brian shifted uneasily. ¡°It¡¯s bigger than the ones we faced before.¡±

    ¡°Look!¡± TJ elbowed him. ¡°That spore fucker¡¯s leg¡¯s about to set off a snare trap the others missed. That should slow it down, then we can leap out and finish it before more ascenders and spores arrive.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no time for that. They¡¯re almost here,¡± Dawn said. ¡°No idea why they aren¡¯t moving as fast as they should be, given they¡¯re being chased by huge-ass spores, but they¡¯re still coming this way.¡±

    Brian froze.

    Joe followed his gaze, watching the ratfolk and kobold move ahead, neither triggering the snare traps. He turned back to the spore, its movements similar to a black widow spider.

    ¡°The spore isn¡¯t heavy enough to activate the snares. And something¡¯s off with those two.¡± Brian pointed to the ratfolk and kobold, who seemed to grow more feeble with each step.

    Joe agreed with Brian¡¯s assessment, the spore moved like it had some ¡®xianxia land¡¯ light step ability.

    ¡°We should help them. They look ill,¡± Rose said, readying another attack. ¡°I¡¯ll hit the spore harder¡­at least slow it down.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s too close for ranged attacks.¡± Joe tugged the cords on his hoodie to prepare for his next move. ¡°You¡¯ll give away our position. With more spores on the way, we¡¯ll be swarmed.¡±

    The spore raised one needle-sharp leg and, with surgical precision, skewered the ratfolk through the torso, pinning him to the ground. Writhing in pain, his little legs went limp, glossy black eyes wide with fear as the kobold stopped beside him.

    The ratfolk raised his paws. ¡°No, please, I¡¯ve little time left. If you take it¡­¡±

    The kobold dodged the spore leg as it withdrew from the ratfolk¡¯s chest. There were precious seconds before the spore attacked again¡ªjust enough time for him to put the poor guy out of his misery and let him respawn back in the Red Zone.

    The kobold flashed a wicked grin. ¡°I¡¯ll make better use of your time than you ever did, ya red zoner.¡±

    Joe recoiled as the kobold grasped hands with the fallen ascender.

    A countdown notification appeared above the ratfolk, sweat forming on his brow as he quivered:

    [05, 04, 03, 02, 01¡­]

    [Ascender 05 has been GORED.]

    ¡°He stole his time,¡± Joe whispered.

    No one spoke. Joe watched in horror as the little guy¡¯s form turned completely gray and faded away.

    The thieving kobald bastard didn¡¯t care, he turned tail and ran. In his eagerness to put distance between himself and the spore, the kobold made a fatal mistake. He tripped, activating a viny snare trap. His form glowed as he used fire magic to burn through the thick vine wrapped around him, but his labored breaths and stumbling cost him more than the time he¡¯d stolen. Using its blade-sharp leg, the spore speared him through the head, and his body thudded onto the ground.

    Dead.

    Joe had little time to process what he¡¯d witnessed as more ascenders burst through the vegetation, crashing onto the path. Some greens, grouped together, were the fastest, while those in orange and red straggled behind.

    ¡°Those reds look like they¡¯re drunk,¡± Brian said.

    ¡°Or poisoned. Could it be traps? Or the effect of being too close to the Greensnare?¡± Joe wondered aloud.

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°No, this is different.¡±

    ¡°I believe it¡¯s mana poisoning. In my old life I came across bodies of loot seeking adventurers not accustomed to the mana levels deep underground the [name mountain].¡± Brian glanced at TJ who clutched his side. ¡°TJ is starting to feel the effects¡ªit starts with feeling sick, shakes not long after, and profuse sweating. TJ has less MP than the rest of us but a larger HP.¡±

    Wiping his sweat drenched brow, TJ straightened and gave Brian a flat look. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not like those weak-assed fools from your world, I can handle it. With my HP it¡¯ll take more than a little mana poisoning to take me down.¡±

    ¡°So he¡¯s more mana sensitive than those of us with larger mana pools?¡± Dawn asked.

    Brian nodded.

    Like a canary in the coal mine, Joe thought.

    "Can¡¯t you feel the rising mana levels?¡± The blue flame released a deep chuckle, vibrating Joe¡¯s chest.

    Joe swallowed hard as his chest burned, reminding him the blue flame was ever present.

    Stop taunting me and just say it. Brian¡¯s right, the sickness is related to mana poisoning, isn¡¯t it.

    ¡°Yes. However, your mana sense at QRL level 5 is too weak to notice subtle shifts in your environment. If you don¡¯t improve, you¡¯re in for a nasty surprise when you try to enter the next floor.¡± Joe could have sworn the blue flame smiled in that moment.

    Its presence faded and Joe shook his head, knocking away any false sense of dizziness he¡¯d considered the flame wanted him to experience. He turned his attention back to the ascenders heading towards them.

    Separating from the orange and reds, the group of green ascenders skirted a trap and pointed to a more dense and viny area of the jungle not far from them.

    Gripping a wooden staff, Rose leapt from the wall. ¡°If they''re running away from the titan boss, then we can engage in battle with the Greensnare.¡±

    Dawn planted a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back as the group of green ascenders spotted her movement.

    Andras¡¯ dark eyes and arrogant sneer were all too familiar, as he led the group toward them with a laugh. ¡°You think you can manage to kill a level 95 Titan as threatening as the Greensnare with Orange Zoners?¡±

    A rat¡¯s tail swished around and raised his paw with an enthusiastic wave. ¡°Hey guys!¡±

    Joe¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Lucky?¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± He tugged the bottom of his hoodie, a huge grin spread across his face. ¡°I¡¯m a Greenie now.¡±

    How the hell did that happen so fast?

    ¡°And a good one at that.¡± With a quick thud, Andras'' hand clamped onto Lucky¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You dodged that Greensnare¡¯s attack like you were born for this.¡± The dark elf¡¯s patronizing tone made Joe¡¯s skin crawl.

    Oblivious, Lucky''s expression softened. ¡°So grateful our respawn tokens are in safe keeping. If it weren''t for you, I don''t know where I¡¯d be.¡±

    Joe had so many questions for his ratfolk friend but he wasn¡¯t about to ask them in front of that damn asshole elf. Given a floor as vast as this, he had to wonder how out of all the ascenders there were inside the tower, that they¡¯d bumped into Andras again so soon.

    Andras chuckled. ¡°There, there, no reason to spread concern.¡± His gaze shifted over his shoulder as a couple of red shirt ascenders collapsed onto the jungle floor. ¡°Poor saps should have joined our faction.¡±

    Gasping, while their eyes rolled white, they looked like they were drunk and suffering from heat exhaustion. Prime targets for the spores, it wasn¡¯t long before they were ruthlessly killed by them.

    A Star Trek red shirts meme popped into Joe¡¯s mind, but it wasn¡¯t so funny when it was happening in real life. The poor red shirts mangled remains faded in a rainbow haze as their respawn tokens activated, sending them back to the Red Zone, falling further down the ranks while the little time they had ticked away.

    Dawn wasn¡¯t feeling quite as sentimental at their demise. Her furious gaze blazed a hole through Andras.

    ¡°I don¡¯t blame them.¡± The glint of Dawn¡¯s blade made Andras step back. She sliced through the vines on the wall, its pulsating baubles only added to the tense atmosphere. ¡°Seems they chose death over joining you, ya filthy slimeball.¡±

    Loud cracks shifted everyone¡¯s gaze to the jungle. The foliage in the distance folded under immense pressure.

    Andras narrowed his eyes. ¡°They died a dog¡¯s death, as shall you, if you continue to surround yourself with Orange Zoners.¡±

    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    Emerging from the wall, a screen flickered to life. The bone-faced lich scowled as he set down a remote. With a clink of his bony handclap, he smiled. ¡°Announcement time!¡±

    Joe glanced back toward the foliage, it continued to buckle under an unseen weight, but the titan was approaching. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for an announcement.¡±

    ¡°You dare complain to me, your savior? Consider yourself fortunate that all this death, drama and despair is entertaining enough to put me in such a good mood.¡± The lich chuckled.

    Joe gripped his butterfly knives. ¡°If you¡¯re so much into the entertainment value, you should join us in the action.¡±

    ¡°Or are you too scared?¡± TJ raised his machete, stepping closer to the screen. ¡°I know how to make lich¡¯s bleed.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t dare threaten me, Ascender 69! I gave you a second chance at life, and I can take it away in an instant.¡±

    The wall surrounding the screen pulsed and oozed a dark red. Sweat broke across TJ¡¯s brow, and he wiped it away with a shaky hand. ¡°Feels like I¡¯m being squeezed between sweaty thighs, but it¡¯s not sexy time.¡±

    Dawn, leaning casually against a tree, snorted. ¡°Please. Sex is like standing in line for an over-hyped movie premiere. Just a lot of pushing and shoving, and you come out disappointed in the end.¡±

    Feeling an intense pressure, Joe¡¯s stomach weakened as he pulled TJ back away from the screen.

    Joe¡¯s chest flared with heat as though the blue flame could feel the sensation too. You alright?

    ¡°If I wasn¡¯t stuck in your wimpy little body, I¡¯d hit him so hard his ancestors would feel it.¡± The blue flame¡¯s heat faded, almost like he was sulking.

    ¡°Also you¡¯re absolutely wrong, Ascender 64.¡± The lich¡¯s bony finger pointed at Joe. ¡°There¡¯s always time for an announcement if I am the one making it. In fact, everyone of you should know that because of the Titan Slayers, the jackpot of immortality will grow faster.¡± He turned his dark eyes toward TJ. ¡°Thanks to Ascender 69¡¯s threatening behavior towards me, and as per the rules¡ªif any of you bothered to read them¡ªeveryone must suffer the cost of his transgression. Poppy! Release the ejected hollows.¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip!¡± came the cheerful yell from off-screen.

    Joe shook his head.

    Despite Poppy¡¯s enthusiasm, ¡®ejected hollows¡¯ did not sound like good news. By the grim look on Andras¡¯ face he felt the same way as Joe.

    Joe glanced back at the jungle, gripping his butterfly knives in hand and activated Quick Wit. He scanned the area, nothing had changed other than the thunderous approach of the Greensnare growing louder. His heart raced as he noticed the concerned expressions of Brian, TJ and Dawn. ¡°There¡¯s no change, Dawn can you see anything on your map marked as ejected hollow?¡±

    A clatter of teeth from the lich¡¯s laugh answered Joe¡¯s question before Dawn could. ¡°Consider the hollows a favor for those who survive long enough for the jackpot.¡±

    The screens blackened, fading back into the wall.

    ¡°Anyone know what¡¯s up with those GORED notifications and ejected hollows?¡± Dawn shook her head. ¡°Scumbag¡¯s as vague as he¡¯s ugly.¡±

    TJ¡¯s lip curled. ¡°Yeah! Can''t trust that Lich Master for nothing.¡±

    ¡°Poppy did tell us the red zoners risked being ejected during the Lich¡¯s last announcement,¡± Joe said.

    Brian nodded. ¡°Yes, right before we entered the battlebox in the tutorial. My guess is GORE stands for rankings Green, Orange, Red and Ejected. As for the hollows¡­¡± He lowered his voice. ¡°I am sure we¡¯ll soon find out.¡±

    Feeding off the rising tension, Lucky turned to Andras. His black glossy eyes brimmed with fear. ¡°Sir, what do we do now?¡±

    Andras placed his finger to his lip.

    ¡°Not so cocky now Andras, are you?¡± Dawn kept her voice low but her eyes were menacing. ¡°Bet the Greensnare put some manners on you. Being surrounded by a bunch of time rich green zoners means nothing if their skills aren¡¯t worth shit.¡±

    Joe knew Dawn was shooting her mouth off making wild guesses to annoy Andras. Even if he could identify Andras and his crew, he wouldn¡¯t know their elemental affinities or class unless they told him or he guessed by the weapons or skills they used. Unlike the games he used to play with Tao and Kyle, in the lich¡¯s tower, their identities were downplayed by the fact they were all dressed the same and addressed by the system as a number.

    Great way to institutionalize us and make us play the game. He wants us to be detached from ascenders outside our faction so we won¡¯t think twice about stealing each other¡¯s time.

    The crashing of fallen trees chased those thoughts from Joe¡¯s mind. His gaze snapped to the source of the sound. TJ tensed beside him as the ground trembled.

    In a green blur, something erupted near Andras feet. Lucky grabbed onto him as the nimble elf leapt out of the way.

    The other green ascenders were too slow. One fell to the ground but avoided injury due to some type of shield. He yelled, ¡°It¡¯s the Greensnare¡¯s Life Sap attack at the same time the other green ascender had his feet swept from under him. His head cracked against the stoney ground, blood pooling from the unseen wound.

    Lucky made a move to aid his injured companion.

    ¡°Leave him be, it¡¯s too dangerous for the likes of you.¡± Andras took a firm hold of Lucky by the scruff of his neck, his perfect, milk white teeth bared. ¡°He¡¯ll respawn in the Green Zone, he¡¯s a time rich changeling not a ratfolk like you, a year will barely age him.¡±

    More roots erupted from beneath the downed ascender, and the Greensnare¡¯s underground system snaked out alongside the spores the titan had shed. Rushing to the rescue without a plan was a bad idea. As much as Joe hated to admit it, for now, Andras was right.

    The roots glowed as the Greensnare¡¯s Life Sap activated. Poor Lucky watched with a conflicted grimace and turned away as the ascender had the life drained from him.

    A notification appeared above the green ascender as he died.

    [Ascender 142 has been GORED.]

    The green hoodie, combats and boots on his still form faded to gray before his body flickered out of existence¡ªno rainbow haze. The root tip swayed as if searching out its next victim.

    Joe took a trembling step back, his heart hammering in his chest. They were dealing with a titan that could kill them from a distance using its vast network of roots. Roots that could not only sap the life from those it came into contact with but it could steal ALL their time too.

    Was being GORED a permanent death sentence?

    Joe would have to find out the answer. More ascenders flooded the area, desperate to escape the spores. For now Joe and his team were stuck where they were; it would be beyond reckless to jump into the deadly melee.

    ¡°Hey Andras, quick question for you. If you¡¯re such a great leader why don¡¯t you go rescue your other teammate before he dies?¡± Dawn asked, her expression darkening. ¡°As for you, Lucky, stop acting like a fool. Andras is using his bard charisma to influence you to follow him.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s whiskers quivered.

    TJ scowled. ¡°He¡¯s still an elf, no amount of charisma will make him a fucking delight to be around.¡±

    Andras waved him off. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know not all elves are charmless. And to answer your question Dawn. I am waiting for the right moment.¡± He pulled out a potion that immediately grabbed Brian¡¯s interest.

    A yelp caught Joe¡¯s attention. They¡¯d been seen.

    Crawling towards them on all fours like a dog about to be put down was a hybrid ratfolk kobold ascender clad in red. Blood poured from a wound in his chest.

    He locked eyes with Joe and mouthed the words ¡°Help! Can¡¯t respawn..only got one year left.¡±

    Joe shifted onto the balls of his feet, with Quick Wit active he assessed the risk of using Shadow Step to increase his speed and stealth and rescue him without drawing the attention of the Greensnare¡¯s spores or deadly roots.

    If he did nothing this time, the red ascender would suffer the same fate as the aging ratfolk, Rawlings. He¡¯d be GORED.

    He turned to Rose and gestured to Dawn and Brian to come closer. ¡°I need you to cover me with your ranged attacks. I¡¯m not sure about the spores but the roots are likely to be vulnerable to fire.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡± TJ raised his machete. ¡°I¡¯ve more HP than you, just let those root fuckers try to drain me dry.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°No, I¡ª¡±

    Activating the same wind affinity movement that saw him evade the surprise attack from the roots earlier, Andras leapt past them towards the dying ascender. A glint of something shiny in the elf¡¯s hand caught Joe¡¯s eye as he hunkered down beside the dying man. It looked like some sort of crystal.

    The ground quaked and dust and debris flew up blocking Joe¡¯s view. Another root had erupted forcing them back several steps. Heavy footfalls of ascenders fleeing matched the pounding rhythm of Joe¡¯s heart.

    Shifting position he searched for any sign of what that sneaky elf was up to. In a blur, Andras came charging towards them through the dust. As it cleared Joe saw the red ascender¡¯s form fade to gray.

    Clear of the debris, Andras slowed to a jog, coming to a rest beside Lucky. The blood drained from Joe¡¯s face causing him to feel faint. ¡°He only had one year, and you took the last of it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve no idea what you¡¯re talking about. I tried to help him but alas I was too late.¡± There was no hint of remorse in his tone as he gestured to the root.

    ¡°You used something on him to steal his time, I saw it.¡± Joe searched for the crystal, but there was no sign of it.

    A look of injury washed over Andras. ¡°I¡¯ve been called many things in my life but I¡¯m no thief. If you didn¡¯t stand around bickering you could have saved that pathetic red zoner yourself. Don¡¯t pass your guilt onto me. A year is pocket change BUT if I¡¯d stolen his time it would be registered by the system. Ask Poppy and you¡¯ll see my Ascender number hasn¡¯t changed since I purchased a 20 credit MadOrbz in the Green Zone.¡±

    Every fiber of Joe¡¯s being told him Andras was lying. ¡°Poppy, has Andras Lyranth ascender number changed in the last five minutes?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s voice rang clear. ¡°Andras Lyranth is Ascender 245, no change in rank. No extra time gained.¡±

    ¡°Believe me now? The Greensnare root system is the time stealing culprit not me.¡± Andras crossed his arms, his tone confident and compelling. Lucky looked at Andras with sickening adoration, but it was the slow nods of agreement from his group that took Joe by surprise.

    ¡°He¡¯s lying. That crystal, where did you¡ª¡±

    His Quick Wit alerted him, cutting his sentence short.

    Adrenaline spiked as he searched their surroundings. It was like a war zone. Any ascenders that were fast enough to escape the spores were soon snared by the Greensnare¡¯s root system stealth attacks.

    They wouldn¡¯t remain hidden from the titan much longer. Andras shot him a dark glare as his pale hands rested on Lucky¡¯s shoulders. The quivering ratfolk calmed. Joe wanted to know why someone like Andras was so protective of Lucky. He¡¯d need to find a way to talk to the ratfolk on his own.

    First they needed to kill the Greensnare.

    It was then that Joe realized what his Quick Wit was warning him about. Something he hadn¡¯t noticed in the chaos. The thunderous booms of the Greensnare had ceased.

    The deathly silence fell as the last ascender that¡¯d been caught by the root snare faded away.

    Joe beckoned and his group drew in closer. They looked to him as if he¡¯d know what to do. Fear tightened his chest. This wasn¡¯t a game; the stakes were real. There were so many uncertainties that he didn¡¯t know what to say.

    A reassuring smile formed on Dawn¡¯s lips. Her belief in him spurred Joe on to take the lead. He didn¡¯t have to have all the answers. One thing was for sure¡ªif they wanted to get close enough to the titan to kill it without being GORED, brute force wouldn¡¯t be enough.

    His eyes circled the group as he considered each of their strengths. Before they could reach the titan they had to deal with the spores and its root system first. He inhaled a steady breath. His faction could do more than survive. Together they could outsmart the titan.

    ¡°We¡¯re facing multiple threats before we reach the titan.¡± He cast a sideways glance to Andras who stood apart from them out of earshot. Turning his attention back to the group Joe grinned. ¡°Let me know what you think of this plan.¡±

 Chapter 15: Courting Death

    Joe tugged on the cord of his hoodie as he watched the plan unfold.

    Dawn approached Andras, placing her hands on her hips. ¡°Well, look who we have here, afraid to venture out on your own?¡±

    Andras raised a brow, his chin tipping upward. ¡°You''re looking for death if you and those Orange Zoners even attempt to attack the titan.¡±

    Dawn frowned. ¡°Even a time rich ascender like yourself didn¡¯t succeed. You tried and failed to beat the titan on this floor. Time doesn¡¯t have anything to do with winning out here.¡±

    Joe pumped his fist in the air. ¡°Yeah! Skill and teamwork matter more. Right now, you''re down to two party members, including yourself.¡±

    TJ tapped his machete against the viny rock wall behind him. ¡°So stop what you''re doing and get out of our way, or my pal Brian here will stomp you into dust.¡±

    Andras stepped forward, ignoring TJ¡¯s warning. ¡°I¡¯d like to see an Orange Zoner attempt such a threat.¡±

    Brian raised his palms, waving Andras back. ¡°No need for violence among fellow ascenders, but it¡¯s in your best interest to quit while you¡¯ve still got your limbs intact.¡± He thumbed toward TJ. ¡°He¡¯s got some anger management issues, so I can¡¯t be responsible for his actions if you keep lecturing us on what we should or shouldn¡¯t do.¡±

    A thin stream of water whizzed across Joe¡¯s shoulder and deflected off Andras¡¯ hoodie into an inbound spore. The spore slid back into a trap and exploded.

    Rose flicked her hood back, staring at Andras with a fake smile. ¡°Oops, so sorry.¡± She whipped out a tiny piece of cloth, offering it to him.

    Andras huffed, refusing the handkerchief and wrung out the front of his hoodie. ¡°Don¡¯t stand there like an imbecile, Lucky.¡±

    Lucky scrambled closer, patting down the front of Andras¡¯ hoodie with his own.

    Rose winked at Joe.

    He nodded. ¡°Nice distraction.¡± Joe gestured to the rest of the group to follow as he leapt away from the wall of vines.

    ¡°He¡¯s trailing us,¡± Rose groaned. ¡°I should have blasted him in the head.¡±

    Joe kept moving forward. ¡°We need to get into the Greensnare¡¯s area of effect to attack. If we get there first, we can lock Andras out of the fight.¡±

    Brian nodded. ¡°If Andras crosses the boundary at the same time, I¡¯m certain both of us would be locked out.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes glazed over. ¡°That¡¯s not all we¡¯re dealing with. More Ascenders are closing in on the Greensnare. This time they have organized formations.¡± Her gaze shifted, and she made an abrupt turn toward Andras as he and Lucky crept close behind them. ¡°You¡¯ve had your chance with the titan. Now it¡¯s our turn.¡±

    Using Shadow Step, Joe tossed a couple of smoke pellets between Dawn and Andras, the dense cloud blocking their view of each other. He grabbed Lucky¡¯s arm, pulling him along. ¡°Come with us.¡±

    Lucky coughed, unable to speak, stumbling forward.

    ¡°This way,¡± said Dawn as she weaved between the trees and dodged a hidden trap. ¡°Keep your eyes sharp for any kind of vines that could serve as trip wires or snare traps. That''s the one we want.¡±

    Joe activated his Quick Wit to check the surrounding areas as the rest of the group followed behind.

    Groaning, Lucky rubbed his head. ¡°What¡¯s going on? We can¡¯t leave Andras.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry my good friend, he¡¯ll catch up,¡± Brian gave Lucky a gentle prod in a different direction. ¡°Oh my, look at that! What a marvelous fern?¡±

    Lucky bent down, inspecting the plant. ¡°Oh wow! Do you see the thin needle-like underside of its leaves?¡±

    With an abrupt stop, Dawn nodded toward a long, twisted vine. She spoke in hushed tones to Joe so as not to alert Lucky. ¡°That is the same poison trap I encountered right before I joined your party.¡± She gestured further along to the side where a spear hung, ready to be triggered.

    Dawn yelled, ¡°Andras, get over here before you get lost in the jungle!¡±

    Joe¡¯s Quick Wit gaze shifted toward Lucky. His whiskers were twitching. Was he about to sneeze?

    Lucky glanced up and looked as Andras approached the twisted vine trap. ¡°Wait!¡±

    With a crinkled nose, Rose¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Shh¡­¡± She clamped a hand around Lucky¡¯s mouth.

    Joe¡¯s heart raced, but it was too late.

    ¡°Thank you, Lucky, for being so faithful.¡± Andras skidded around the trip wire, laughing. ¡°You shall reap rewards for your loyalty.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°Keep going.¡± He jogged forward, TJ joining his side.

    ¡°What do we do now? He¡¯s as persistent as a bad rash.¡±

    Brian frowned. ¡°What about Lucky? Even though he¡¯s a Green Zoner now with a higher time currency, he must have used his respawn token a few times already as he¡¯s aged quite a bit.¡±

    Joe glanced over his shoulder, watching Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitch as he led Andras out of the area laden with traps. ¡°You¡¯re saying that even with his respawn token, he¡¯s likely limited on his life expectancy because of his race.¡±

    Dawn nodded. ¡°There¡¯s a racial bias against those with a lower life expectancy. It¡¯s not all about your ascender number.¡±

    Warmth vibrated within Joe¡¯s chest. ¡°How unfair, poor little ratfolk have a mere twenty uses of their respawn token before they die of old age.¡± The blue flame chuckled darkly.

    Joe clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

    What the hell¡¯s so funny about that? He pushed the thought away, his jaw set in a hard line. Keeping stride with Dawn, he spoke, ¡°So what it boils down to is this: elves in this climbing tower have yet another advantage. Not only will the physical signs of aging happen slower when they use their respawn token, with a life expectancy of three hundred years, they can use their token three hundred times before dying of old age.¡±

    ¡°Ratfolk and Kobolds have the short end of the stick.¡± TJ¡¯s fist tightened, his glare boring into Andras as if sheer willpower could make the dark elf explode.

    Andras shrugged it off with a cocky swagger, his eyes shining with amusement.

    ¡°Ah yes sadly that¡¯s true,¡± Brian said. ¡°But did you notice they greatly outnumber the elves?¡±

    Andras slowed his steps, his pointy ears twitching as he listened.

    Noticing he had the elf¡¯s attention, Brian¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile. ¡°From my observations and recalling what we were told during the induction process, I wager elves account for about twenty percent of the tower population. If history tells us anything, given enough time, if the rich abuse their power, the hungry masses will revolt.¡±

    Let them eat cake¡­

    History lessons on the harsh consequences of ignorance and indifference during the French Revolution sprang to Joe¡¯s mind. ¡°Heads will roll,¡± he said, his tone carrying a threat directed squarely at Andras. ¡°Do you think the lich has a grand design to sow seeds of chaos which will result in the time-poor attacking the time-rich?¡±

    Brian gave a slow nod. ¡°Having us compete for a grand prize of immortality and luring us with time riches is rather clever of the Lich Master.¡±

    ¡°Do you think he has a hidden agenda?¡± Lucky¡¯s wide eyes and rising gray brows showed his surprise.

    Brian stroked his goatee, his eyes thoughtful. ¡°Take a moment and really think about it. If we¡¯re too busy tearing each other apart during the climb to the top, we lose sight of the fact that we are imprisoned here and who the real enemy is.¡±

    Andras finally spoke up. ¡°May I remind you all, we didn¡¯t get to choose our race. It¡¯s not my fault I was given more advantages in this life, but I have used my power and influence to help those less fortunate than me.¡± He gestured to Lucky, a smug smile on his face.

    ¡°Drop the altruistic bullshit, Andras! Nothing wrong with my memory,¡± Dawn snapped. ¡°You say you¡¯re not racist, but you¡¯re definitely classist, looking down on anyone who isn¡¯t time-rich enough to be in the Green Zone with you.¡±

    TJ looked like he was about to explode into a cursing fit when Joe felt it¡ªa sudden electric jolt, warning him the lull in the Greensnare¡¯s attack was over.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Get down!¡± Joe yelled as a spore leg burst through the canopy above. He grabbed Lucky, dragging him down and rolling in time to dodge the attack.

    The others followed, their reflexes sharp.

    The deadly blade-sharp spore leg impaled the ground inches from where Joe had been. They scattered, taking cover as the spore¡¯s massive bulbous form crashed through the vegetation, towering above them. Through the gaps in the foliage, Joe spotted at least a dozen more spores stalking behind the lead one.

    He glanced at Rose, TJ, Brian, and Dawn. ¡°Remember the plan?¡±

    Sharp nods came from them all before they leapt to their feet.

    Rose¡¯s wooden staff glowed, azure tendrils swirling around it, her lips moving in a silent incantation. Crossbow raised and ready, Brian scanned the ground while Dawn used her flame to ignite his alchemy bolts.

    Quick Wit sharpened Joe¡¯s senses, every slight movement overhead and on the ground captured in high definition.

    ¡°Hold,¡± he commanded with the authority of a battle-hardened general. His chest tightened, breath caught in his throat as he waited for the right moment.

    Time seemed to stretch endlessly as the spores advanced. The rumbling underfoot was deafening to Joe, but the others seemed unfazed. ¡°Brian, Dawn, get ready. Aim straight ahead.¡±

    TJ growled with impatience.

    ¡°Rose, unleash hell,¡± Joe said, in his most robust movie gladiator voice.

    With a fluid motion, Rose stepped forward and unleashed her water whip. It transformed into a lasso, coiling around the spore¡¯s legs and binding them tight with her magical intent.

    Before the spore¡¯s huge form crashed to the ground, TJ charged, his bounding footsteps closing the distance between them with thunderous speed. His machete glinted as he swung it in a two-handed executioner¡¯s style, cleaving the spore¡¯s legs in one brutal blow.

    The detached limbs shuddered, curling up like spider¡¯s legs upon death.

    Shrieks filled the air, making Joe wince. He wished to hell, his Quick Wit skill had a control switch.

    Sensory overload hit him hard, his teeth aching, eyes streaming, head pounding faster than his racing heart. He struggled to keep his focus, knowing he needed to alert his team to the threats around them¡ªthe spores, the time-sucking vampire roots, and Andras.

    Together, Rose and TJ timed their ranged and melee attacks with perfection, their twenty percent extra Dual Strike damage making a difference. But the roots were hardy and resistant. Brian¡¯s frustration was evident when his fiery bolts struck true but didn¡¯t do enough damage. Dawn¡¯s ranged attacks kept the roots at bay but couldn¡¯t kill them fast enough.

    Joe¡¯s stomach clenched.

    The plan was falling apart. He¡¯d banked on the Greensnare root system being more susceptible to fire, but the level difference between Dawn and Brian against the titan was too great. It would take more time and mana than they had available between them to kill all the roots. They¡¯d barely killed one root when the ground trembled again, alerting him to the next eruption. Then another.

    ¡°Its Root Snare attack is relentless,¡± Brian shouted, firing another volley of bolts. ¡°For every root we kill, two more emerge.¡±

    ¡°My flames aren¡¯t doing shit.¡± Dawn¡¯s fists swirled in fire, her frustration made clear as her arms dropped to her side.

    Joe narrowed his eyes, assessing the situation. ¡°The waxy cuticle on the root is scorched off, so that¡¯s something. But you¡¯re right, we¡¯re using way too much mana to keep them at bay. Time for Plan B.¡±

    Dawn and Brian exchanged a look. ¡°You never mentioned Plan B.¡±

    ¡°Duck!¡± Joe called out, throwing a butterfly dagger above their heads. It bounced off the spore that had slipped past Rose and TJ¡¯s defenses, slowing it enough for Rose to spin and lasso it with a water whip.

    Andras stood there, his smugness irritating Joe. Unless his life was under immediate danger, he didn¡¯t lift a finger to help. Joe wanted him out of the picture fast, but they had their hands full with multiple threats.

    ¡°We¡¯re running out of time here, Joe.¡± Brian released a bolt, pinning a root for Dawn to flame. ¡°Plan B, remember?¡±

    Striking a confident pose, Joe did his best to sound convincing as his mind raced through options. Quick Wit sifted through his memories for a solution. An image of gramps with a watering can flashed across his vision. ¡°Back home, we tackle weed roots using herbicide. We need a powerful enough magic potion that¡¯s poisonous to the Greensnare.¡±

    ¡°Something that the root system would absorb¡­.¡± Brian shook his head. ¡°If I had time¡­¡±

    Lucky¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I found a Deadly Bloom earlier, remember?¡± He looked at Andras, whose smug grin disappeared.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what are you talking about?¡± Andras¡¯ face soured as he crouched to tie his boots tighter than a hangman¡¯s noose.

    Lucky pointed to Andras. ¡°I gave it to you for safekeeping, just like my re¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ah yes,¡± Andras cut in, rising fast, his smile cold and inviting like a snake¡¯s. ¡°Who knows what would have happened if I wasn¡¯t there to look out for you, Lucky.¡± The edge in his tone was blade sharp, eyes narrowed to pinpricks of pure hatred.

    Joe made a grabbing gesture. ¡°Hand it over Andras, we don¡¯t have much time.¡±

    Andras took a step back. ¡°Not so fast, my eager young companion. I¡¯ll give it to you if you all officially join my party,¡± his eyes roamed over the flame haired changeling like she was his property. ¡°Especially you, Dawn.¡±

    Dawn, busy casting ranged attacks, shot him a filthy look, her next attack burning with greater intensity. The singed root recoiled, flailing about as a fiery bolt from Brian pinned it to the ground. He gulped for air, sweat dripping down his face. He shot a meaningful glance at TJ, who caught his gaze after taking down another spore.

    TJ swung his machete at an incoming spore with barbaric force. ¡°How about when I¡¯m done here I break your face with my fist, you scum-sucking lizard? Then Dawn takes the damn potion and kicks your sorry ass all the way back to the Green Zone.¡±

    Joe considered other solutions, but with time running out and other factions closing in on the Greensnare, they needed that potion. If they had party chat access, he could talk to his team without Andras eavesdropping. The chat was often used when he gamed with Tao and Kyle. Including the day he died.

    ¡°Hey Lucky,¡± Joe said, with a smile. ¡°Since you found the potion, how about you decide whether we can use it now to save all our lives?¡±

    Lucky glanced at Andras, clearly torn. ¡°I¡­I, there''s strength in numbers. Andras saved me. He can save you if you join us.¡±

    ¡°Not joining the cult of Andras.¡± Dawn swung past Joe, her fiery mane brushing his cheek. Taking Andras by surprise, she knocked him to the ground before he could use his wind step to evade.

    Looking up, he shielded himself with his hands but was no match for the punishing blow that broke through his weak defense. He was out cold before his head hit the ground.

    ¡°Now, where¡¯s that potion?¡± Dawn muttered, searching Andras¡¯ unconscious form.

    Lucky blinked in confusion. ¡°Why did you punch him?¡±

    Dawn shrugged, her shoulders tensing as she paused her search. ¡°Thought I saw a giant bug on his face and reacted on instinct.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm¡­ be more careful next time, okay?¡± Lucky knelt beside Andras and tried to nudge him awake, but the dark elf didn¡¯t stir from his dirt nap.

    Joe sighed in relief. For once, he was glad ratfolk were so gullible. ¡°Hey Lucky, don¡¯t worry, Andras will be fine. How about you find the potion so we can stop the Root Snare attack before we¡¯re all GORED.¡±

    Free from the dark elf¡¯s thrall, Lucky listened to Joe and nodded. He lifted up the elf¡¯s hoodie at the waistband to reveal what looked like a fanny pack. Opening it Lucky withdrew the Deadly Bloom sap and handed it to Joe.

    Brian took the bottle from Joe, his movements sharp and efficient. He quickly coated his bolts, eyes narrowing as he took aim. The first bolt struck true but rebounded this time.

    ¡°Uh oh,¡± Joe said in a low voice. ¡°Looks like its defense has leveled up from our many attacks. Just like my butterfly knives, your bolts can¡¯t penetrate the waxy cuticle anymore.¡±

    ¡°We have to bypass that so the poison seeps into the root network.¡± Brian¡¯s tone was laced with desperation.

    Joe¡¯s Quick Wit kicked in, his mind racing. ¡°Aim where the roots erupt, I¡¯ll guide you. Dawn, burn off the outer layer with your flame attack. Brian, get ready to shoot again.¡±

    As soon as he sensed the next eruption he told Dawn where to aim.

    Dawn nodded, flames igniting in her palms with a furious intensity. She directed a concentrated burst at the roots, the fire searing through the tough outer layer. The stench of burning vegetation filled the air.

    Timing was everything. As the flames died down, the inner part of the root lay exposed and vulnerable.

    ¡°Now, Brian!¡± Joe¡¯s voice cut through the chaos.

    Brian¡¯s next bolt, slick with the potent Deadly Bloom sap, pierced the exposed root. It began to wither and shrivel, a wave of decay spreading through the root system. Another root burst through the ground.

    ¡°Over there,¡± Joe yelled, directing Dawn¡¯s attention. She flamed it before it executed its deadly Root Snare attack.

    They repeated the coordinated attack until they were verging on the edge of complete mana exhaustion. Their efforts finally paid off as the root eruptions slowed and then stopped. Alert, Joe scanned the area but no more spores appeared.

    Brian offered them a mana potion. ¡°There¡¯s not much left I¡¯m afraid but there should be enough to restore us before we face off against the titan.¡±

    Lucky gestured to Andras. ¡°Please do you have a health potion to help rouse him?¡±

    Brian looked at Joe seeking his input.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lucky¡± Joe shook his head. ¡°We don¡¯t have any, and we¡¯ve got to push on before another group of ascenders engages the titan in battle.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry, help him!¡± Lucky¡¯s gray brows danced in a frenzy. ¡°I know you don¡¯t like him but you don¡¯t have to in order to do the right thing. We can¡¯t leave him here to die alone, here somebody could steal all his time and then...¡±

    Suddenly, the ground trembled with such violence that the trees around them shuddered.

    Joe hated that Lucky was right.

    Stepping forward Dawn placed a hand on the shaking ratfolk¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Lucky, Andras is an asshole, there¡¯s no potion strong enough to cure him of that.¡±

    ¡°You go on then.¡± Lucky¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°I will stay with him.¡± His plucky little voice pulled at Joe¡¯s heartstrings.

    Dawn let her hand fall to her side and knelt down beside Andras. Looking up at Lucky she wore a grim expression. ¡°You make a fair point. Nobody wants to be responsible for leaving him here all vulnerable to being GORED by some shitty time thief.¡±

    Lucky smiled. ¡°Are you going to carry him?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡± A sharp blade appeared in Dawn¡¯s hand. ¡°I have a much simpler solution.¡± Without hesitation she plunged the blade into the elf¡¯s chest.

    Stumbling back, Lucky gasped.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry Lucky, he¡¯s got plenty of years left on his respawn token. This way he¡¯ll respawn back in the Green Zone safe and sound.¡±

    The little ratfolk¡¯s face was a picture of warring emotions cut short by the seismic quake that knocked them all off their feet. A crack emerged snaking out from the epicenter; it swallowed the frightened ratfolk whole.

    Dazed, Joe scrambled to his feet cursing that he didn¡¯t have Quick Wit active. He needed to conserve his mana for the big boss. Heart racing, he rushed over to where the poor little guy disappeared. Looking down into the inky abyss of the crack in the ground he saw Lucky¡¯s shattered body flicker and disappear in a rainbow haze.

    The earth beneath their feet shook again, debris from overhead rained down. Trees exploded into splinters, and the air filled with a deafening roar.

    A shimmer filled the sky drawing all eyes upward. Joe gulped, his heart pounding. It was time to face the titan.

 Chapter 16: Boon Time

    The parched earth crumbled at Joe¡¯s feet. He jumped back from the edge of the fissure just before it gave way, watching as loose dirt and rocks tumbled into the darkness below.

    ¡°Mind your step, there are cracks everywhere.¡± Brian placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. TJ kicked up dirt with his boot, sending a brown, stringy clump flying into the abyss. ¡°Fuck every crack here, especially that one. It took poor Lucky.¡±

    ¡°I take it you are speaking figuratively,¡± Rose said, planting her staff.

    Joe laughed. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve no time for that.¡±

    A notification appeared, one he couldn¡¯t blink away:

    [Titan Slayers faction have engaged First Floor Titan ¡®GreenSnare¡¯ in battle. All other ascenders in the vicinity awaiting their turn, please standby. May the god of all titans have mercy on their souls.]

    Joe almost laughed again at the absurdly polite boss battle notification.

    The shimmer in the sky he¡¯d noticed earlier grew stronger, forming a translucent dome. The glistening barrier distorted the landscape beyond, creating a hellish mirage of twisted trees and fragmented reality. It felt like they were trapped in a snowglobe hellscape, the dome¡¯s walls casting a surreal light over everything.

    Dawn drew their attention to the hazy edge of the dome in the distance. ¡°Map shows we¡¯ve got an audience. There¡¯s got to be a few hundred ascenders arriving at various spots around the perimeter.¡±

    They all followed her gaze. Joe didn¡¯t need Quick Wit to see the mass of specks growing at the outside edge of the boundary. The sense of being trapped gnawed at him, the dome¡¯s oppressive presence making escape seem impossible.

    TJ frowned and cocked his ear. ¡°You hear that?¡±

    Muffled by the distance, Joe strained to listen.

    Thunk. Thunk. Boom!

    A blazing light blanketed one side of the dome; it had to be some fool ascender casting a magic attack, trying to break through the barrier. The light refracted off the dome, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that danced around them.

    ¡°Some folk won¡¯t take no for an answer,¡± Brian said with a shake of his head.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dawn said, gesturing to the masses gathering around the dome like moths to a flame. ¡°It only takes one functional idiot to try their luck before they all follow like lemmings.¡±

    A raspy voice cut through the growing tension. ¡°Ascenders, no loitering at the boundary and please refrain from your feeble attempts at trying to break it. Those who persist will be given a severe ten-year time penalty. Red Zone Ascenders best beware¡ªyou could end up GORED. Use your time wisely¡­¡±

    The lich¡¯s voice faded to a whisper near the end. The ground trembled as a shadowy form emerged, crushing fallen trees under its giant foot. Joe¡¯s eyes traveled up its colossal form. Vines and roots twisted around its body, pulsating with a green light. The titan had no eyes¡ªno surprise, as plants didn¡¯t need them. Blood red roses and nightmarish blooms with twisted thorns covered its hunched back, adding to its grotesque appearance.

    [Greensnare Guardian

    Type: Elemental Titan - Earth/Water

    Level: 95, High Bronze Mana Rank

    Health Points (HP): 14,949

    Mana Particles (MP): 6,000

    Strength: 95

    Agility: 40

    Intelligence: 70

    Constitution: 100

    Charisma: 20]

    Joe¡¯s eyes circled the group. ¡°Remember our formation: range, mid-range, and melee. We¡¯ve got to strike hard and strike fast from a distance to damage the titan and slow it down before its foot can stomp us into pulp.¡±

    ¡°Holy shit!¡± TJ¡¯s eyes bulged in shock. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of strikes, even for a kill-happy thug like me.¡±

    ¡°I estimate it will take us at least ten minutes if we are efficient. We need to be clever to make our mana last long enough too.¡±

    The titan''s movements were sluggish. Inky black blotches traveling up its trunk meant that their earlier efforts attacking its root system were more than worth it.

    Dawn grinned with a hint of savageness. ¡°Drink up, Motherfucker. Poison¡¯s working a nasty debuff.¡±

    Joe read the notification that appeared above its head.

    [Root Snare Debuff

    Type: Attack Suppression

    Effect: Greensnare is unable to use the Root Snare attack.]

    Dawn¡¯s grin vanished as a countdown timer appeared.

    [Duration Remaining: 5:00]

    Joe''s heart raced as he processed the information. ¡°We¡¯ve got five minutes to do as much damage as we can before it recovers. Let¡¯s make them count!¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hands glowed, scorching the air, forcing Joe to take a step back. ¡°I¡¯m ready to flame this fucker a new asshole. Brian, you got any more of Lucky¡¯s poison brew left? We could keep the Root Snare attack suppressed if you shot a bolt after I flamb¨¦ its ass.¡±

    Brian withdrew the bottle and swirled it, then frowned. ¡°I like the way you¡¯re thinking, but there¡¯s not enough left. I suggest you and I make the most of our Dual Strike attack.¡±

    Dawn didn¡¯t look convinced. ¡°We don¡¯t have enough time to deal enough damage to kill that thing. Once those roots erupt, there¡¯s nowhere we can hide from those time suckers. Once we¡¯re GORED, you know what that means¡­¡±

    ¡°Game Over. Permanently,¡± Joe said, thinking about what the Lich had said about them being unleashed. So far, they hadn¡¯t met them, and he wasn¡¯t looking forward to when they did. He squared his shoulders to Dawn. ¡°That¡¯s why we have to outsmart the Greensnare because we sure as shit can¡¯t outfight it. Lucky for us, it¡¯s got a 70 for intelligence and 20 for charisma¡±

    Rose raised her staff, her eyes alight the color matching the intense glowing water tendrils of her staff. ¡°I think we better move.¡± She pointed to the vines uncoiling around the titan¡¯s trunk. ¡°I can provide a water shield. My water whip will be too weak to bind its limbs and it''s not fast enough to counter those vines.¡±

    Joe nodded, his confidence in his team growing despite the dire threat they faced. He turned to TJ. ¡°What¡¯s your Strength and Constitution like?¡±

    ¡°Whoa, I gained points in both Strength and Constitution. When did that happen?¡± He flexed like a bodybuilder, his bulging biceps straining the fabric of his hoodie.

    Brian tutted. ¡°Nobody likes a show-off, and in future don¡¯t ignore your notifications. It might do you good to throw your flex points into intelligence since clearly, you are not increasing that one through your actions.¡±

    TJ¡¯s chin jutted in defiance.

    Joe stepped in with hands raised. ¡°Give it a rest, you two. If we don¡¯t work together, we¡¯re dead.¡± He pointed to the debuff timer to emphasize his point.

    ¡°Here¡¯s a hot take,¡± Dawn said. ¡°Without that poison, the risk of being GORED is too great. I say we cut our losses and leave.¡±

    Joe looked at Brian. ¡°What are our odds? Can we kill it using Dual Strike while TJ draws its attention and takes the brunt of the attack, Rose provides a shield to reduce damage, and I go rogue and search for a weakness?¡±

    Brian rubbed his goatee. ¡°Odds are slim, but with those tactics, we may take the Greensnare down with seconds to spare. But we need to act now.¡±

    A titan roar rooted Joe to the spot. ¡°I say we fight. Leaving now will cost us a time penalty. I bet that barrier has a toll both ways if we try to breach it. I¡¯m not giving up ten years.¡±

    A fiery aura lit Dawn¡¯s form. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m in. But what happens if we are killed and our respawn token activates? Do we respawn back in our zones or here?¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t get a chance to think. A vine whipped towards them at frightening speed.

    Rose glided forward, arms spread wide. Her staff glowed brighter, sending out a wave of crystal-clear water. The vine slowed upon contact, as if moving through dense liquid. The attack¡¯s force lessened, but those caught by the tail end still felt the sting.

    Joe barely dodged the strike, feeling the wind rush past him. His Quick Wit skill activated, and everything around him sharpened in clarity. He could see the subtle shifts in the titan''s movements, predicting where the next attack would come from. ¡°TJ, get ready!¡± he yelled. ¡°We need you to tank its attacks!¡±

    TJ frowned. ¡°Do what now?¡±

    ¡°Draw its attention! You can take more damage than the rest of us with your constitution.¡±

    ¡°I can do that.¡± TJ grinned. ¡°Hey, shrub-for-brains, you hit like a sapling. Anyone ever tell you that your bark is worse than your bite?¡±

    Brian groaned. ¡°TJ, it¡¯s not even a tree. Save the dad jokes and keep it distracted!¡±

    Rose giggled, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Oh, I thought it was funny, it¡¯s nice to have a little humor while we¡¯re fighting for our lives!"

    TJ charged forward, waving his machete. ¡°Come on, you leafy loser! Over here!¡± His taunts echoed through the chaos as he planted himself firmly in front of the team.

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    The Greensnare Guardian responded, targeting TJ with relentless fury. A massive vine whip slammed down, but TJ was able to evade thanks to Rose¡¯s water shield slowing it down. Still the sheer force of the titan¡¯s attack sent vibrations up Joe¡¯s legs, but he held his focus, searching for weak points.

    He pushed down his frustration as he couldn¡¯t find any, at least not on the front. No glowing core in its chest, no eyes to target either. It was a moving fortress of vines and plant matter. The trunk still appeared mottled from the effects of the poison.

    "Brian, Dawn, hit the black spots on the lower half! It''ll do more damage there!"

    Brian nocked a bolt. Dawn¡¯s hands ignited, and she touched the bolt igniting it with orange fire. The bolt flew, striking the trunk, the flames spread out and scorched its top layer.

    [Greensnare Guardian HP: 12,838]

    Joe glanced at the timer and gulped.

    [Duration Remaining: 3:57]

    We¡¯re not fast enough.

    With a roar TJ charged, his machete hacking at the vine. ¡°BK Slash!¡± His blade bit into the vine, sap spraying as he cut deeper. Despite his high level of strength, the titan¡¯s retaliatory force was immense.

    Joe''s eyes followed TJ as he dodged a Vine Whip by rolling to the side, the massive root smashing into the ground where he¡¯d been standing. TJ leapt back to his feet, using the momentum to slash at another vine. The titan¡¯s movements were sluggish, but its size made every swing deadly.

    ¡°Over here, you overgrown weed!¡± TJ shouted, hacking away at the vines trying to ensnare him. He leapt onto a higher vine, using it as a platform to strike at the titan.

    Dawn and Brian struck in tandem, their attacks gaining a twenty percent damage bonus.

    The titan¡¯s health bar barely budged.

    Joe¡¯s body tensed with a wave of frustration. They were running out of time. "We need to cause more damage in the debuff time that we have left if we have any hope of succeeding!" Joe shouted, urgency in his voice.

    Brian, panting and sweating, nodded. ¡°Agreed. We can¡¯t let up now.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes burned like molten steel. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s turn up the heat.¡± Flames roared to life in her hands as she directed a torrent of fire at the titan, scorching its vines and causing them to writhe in pain.

    ¡°Brian, aim for the scorched areas!¡± Joe directed, his Quick Wit making every weak point clearly stand out.

    Brian nocked another alchemy bolt, his hands steady despite the chaos. He waited for the exact moment when Dawn¡¯s flames had burned away the outer layer, revealing the tender inner vines.

    The bolt struck true, embedding deep into the exposed vine. The titan roared, shaking the ground with its fury.

    [Greensnare Guardian HP: 9,300]

    Dual Strike was effective, but the thirty second cooldown cost them debuff time before they could use it again.

    Rose slowed the incoming attack giving TJ an opening to leap onto the next vine. His blade cut through, sap spraying like a fountain.

    He climbed higher, nearing the poison blooms. The air was thick with the acrid smell of the blooms'' toxic mist. He hacked away at the vines, exposing more weak points. But as he struck again, a cloud of poison mist engulfed him.

    Joe¡¯s heart sank as he saw TJ blinded and choking, the toxic fumes overwhelming him. ¡°TJ, get out of there!¡± he shouted, but it was too late. TJ¡¯s body went limp, and he fell from a great height, crashing to the ground below.

    [Boon of the Fallen: Strength Boost to All Party Members]

    Joe¡¯s muscles tingled as a surge of strength amped his stat. Even with the boost, they were down a team member, and he wondered if TJ would respawn here or back in the Orange Zone.

    The countdown timer read 3:00.

    Shit!

    They were running out of time, and the Greensnare Guardian¡¯s HP was still high.

    Joe, using his agility and rogue skills, darted between the titan¡¯s flailing vines, searching for any signs of the titan¡¯s core. He spotted a cluster of glowing vines on its back.

    Activating Quick Wit, Joe¡¯s senses sharpened even further. The titan''s movements seemed more predictable with the next strike coming. He scanned its massive form, focusing on the glowing vines cluster.

    Using Shadow Step, Joe dodged another Vine Whip and circled behind the knot of glowing vines humming with energy. The mana poisoning made him gag, but he ignored the wave of sickness and scaled the back of the titan.

    With the added strength boon from TJ, Joe used his butterfly knives to cut open a hole in the knots of vines, exposing the titan core. The dizziness of mana poisoning was getting to him; his vision darkened, but he held on tight.

    Above him, nightmare blooms began to unfurl.

    Uh oh.

    ¡°Dawn, flame those blooms before they release the mist!¡± Joe shouted.

    The fiery blaze scorched the blooms nearby, but the mist erupted from a further bloom clouding Joe''s vision. He coughed into his hoodie, covering his mouth, but the rising burn in his chest told him he was too late.

    He blinked as a figure reappeared next to Brian.

    [System Notification:

    Oh, dear. It appears you have met an untimely demise. How tragic. Fortunately, due to my unparalleled generosity and undeniable superiority, you possess a Respawn Token. Using this token will only cost you a mere year of your precious life (see small print for details).

    Small Print: The cost is index-linked to your life expectancy. Frequent use may accelerate signs of aging, turning you into a withered husk sooner than you''d like. Use at your own risk.

    Would you like to use your respawn token?]

    [ Yes ] [ No ]

    Joe cocked an eyebrow. ¡°Is ''No'' even an option?¡± He wasn¡¯t going to risk finding out and selected Yes.

    His vision dimmed to a single point, another notification appearing in the darkness.

    [Titan Slayer Party Benefit: Because you died in a titan battle while other members of your party are still alive, you have two respawn location options. Please choose one to proceed.

    - Orange Zone

    - Greensnare Titan Battledome]

    Joe weighed his options aloud. ¡°If I return to the Orange Zone, I¡¯d have access to mana regeneration before rejoining my team... but even if I could teleport back to them, would I be denied re-entry to the dome?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s voice startled him as her little 8-bit kaiju avatar appeared, pixelated horns and dragon body jerking. She flapped her tiny wings. ¡°Yip-yip Joe, if you need a nap after fighting big nasty Greensnare, go to the Orange Zone. BUT your pals are still fighting and not looking so good.¡±

    ¡°Going back to the Orange Zone is useless unless I can reenter the boss battle. I¡¯ll do what TJ obviously did and select Greensnare Titan Battledome as my respawn location.¡±

    ¡°TJ so brave, I like him.¡± Poppy clapped her little claws, pixelated sparks flying. Then she grimaced, her tiny dragon tail curling in discomfort.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Joe asked.

    ¡°Ouchy, poor TJ got flattened by mean ol¡¯ titan.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re down two. I better get back there. Thanks for your help.¡±

    ¡°Poppy always happy to help,¡± she said, her avatar giving a dramatic bow, wings flapping with enthusiasm.

    Joe selected Greensnare Guardian Battledome, more than ready to rejoin his team.

    A deafening roar reached Joe¡¯s ears before his feet found solid ground. In a swift thrash of a viny claw, he dodged TJ''s body as it flung limply across the battledome. Water rained down around the titan as it broke through a wall of water to stomp on TJ again. Taking a quick breath, Joe gestured toward the others and threw a few smoke pellets at the Greensnare¡¯s feet.

    ¡°Dual strike, now!¡±

    Rose sprinted toward the distracted titan, gritting her teeth as she spun her wooden staff into a mighty arc through the smoke screen. The titan¡¯s eyeless head spun around as Brian fired his tandem bolt, which penetrated a scorched vine.

    No notification to indicate twenty percent damage¡ªhis team must have still been in cooldown mode from an attack when he was respawning.

    The titan swooped down, the smoke clearing to reveal Rose¡¯s staff wedged between its viny leg. The extra boon of strength seemed to remain.

    Activating Shadow Step, Joe grasped Rose, pulling her to the side as TJ reappeared, his face redder than a cherry. Ducking his head, TJ charged toward the Greensnare.

    Joe slashed his butterfly knives across the titan¡¯s leg and leapt onto Rose¡¯s staff for leverage. He hoped his minimal damage with the knife would be enough to count towards another dual strike attack as TJ¡¯s thunderous strength plowed into the titan¡¯s weakened leg.

    A system notification flashed:

    [Greensnare Guardian HP: 6,589]

    Yes! Joe thought, continuing to climb onto the titan¡¯s back, his boots enforced with Silent Enchantment to reduce his presence. He only needed to get to the core and cut it out using his small butterfly blade before the Greensnare had another chance to attack. How hard could it be?

    Size doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s what you do with it that counts.

    Glancing down, he saw TJ scuff the ground, preparing for another charge like a bull that had just been castrated. Flames whizzed past Joe¡¯s shoulder, scorching the rest of the nightmare blooms before its mist attack could explode.

    This was his chance to end it all. Traversing the titan¡¯s warped viny back, using his butterfly knives as anchors he inched closer to the knot of protective vines. A blue glow rimmed the edge of the blades as they cut deep.

    Consider yourself blessed that blade has fire affinity, but you¡¯ll need more than that to reach the titan¡¯s earth core and claim it. You¡¯ll have to dig deep¡­

    Joe tuned out the blue flame¡¯s evil, villainous laughter.

    Being tossed about like a ragdoll as the Greensnare whipped its body side to side, stole all of Joe¡¯s attention. It nearly caused him to drop one of his knives as he worked on removing the knot of vines. He couldn¡¯t risk losing his grip. Pulling the paracord from his backpack, he wrapped it around his waist and knotted it around a thick vine. His body swayed as the titan moved across the battledome.

    Fireballs and alchemy bolts continued to pierce the Greensnare''s open wounds, but another system notification flashed red in his vision:

    [Warning: Root Snare Debuff has been removed.]

    Joe¡¯s eyes widened, his heart racing.

    A root erupted from the ground below, whipping in erratic movements, chasing TJ, who was cursing like a sailor at the monstrosity.

    Joe reached back into the vines and made a deeper cut, his breath quick and heavy as he slashed through the knot with his blade. He clung tighter as the last vine fell away. Before him lay a layer of thick, waxy tissue. He thrust his blade into the porous tissue¡ªor at least he tried to.

    "Damn," Joe said with an exhale. His blade was no match. Even with the extra strength from the Boon of the Fallen, his knife couldn¡¯t breach the next layer. Taking a closer look, he noticed they were crescent-shaped cells, like something he¡¯d seen in high school biology.

    "Guard cells. They¡¯re closed now, but will they open when plump with water?"

    The titan reeled back, and Joe grasped the paracord with one hand. The weight of his body pulling on the thin line around his waist cut into his skin despite the padding of his hoodie. His butterfly knife clinked against the spindles of vine as it landed on the ground. Joe couldn¡¯t afford to lose the second knife if he was to have any hope of cutting the titan core out. He looked between Dawn and Rose.

    Be like water, my friend.

    ¡°Rose!¡± Joe waved at the water hybrid mage. ¡°Can you give this overgrown plant a good soaking?¡± He pointed at the guard cells the size of two dinner plates squashed together.

    Rose¡¯s eyes locked onto him, and she gave a sharp nod. "Always happy to help a friend with his gardening," she said with a smirk. Given his proximity to her target, the force of the water stream was slow but steady. The guard cells plumped, triggering the automatic response he was hoping for.

    Grunting, he reached his free hand back into the entrance that had opened. He kept reaching until he was shoulder-deep. If the guard cells snapped closed, his arm would be crushed.

    Holding his breath, the tips of his fingers brushed against something dense and rough. Using all his strength, he tugged and tugged, loosening it from the cavity that held it in place.

    The warmth of the titan core pulsed in his hand, and he ripped it free. It was surprisingly small but heavy enough to force Joe to grip it tight using his extra strength.

    Victorious, a smile spread across his face as he turned to show his team.

    His heart sank to the pit of his stomach when the titan¡¯s root system erupted all around the dome, his team leaping onto trees to avoid the Root Snare.

    Their chance of being GORED was way too close for comfort. Joe squeezed the titan core and transferred it into his backpack. Suddenly, sap sprayed from the gaping hole he¡¯d carved to remove the core, showering Joe as if he¡¯d unplugged his finger from a crack in a dam.

    ¡°Nooo!¡± Joe yelled as his body became weightless with the freefall of the Greensnare.

    He tugged on the paracord¡¯s knot but couldn¡¯t free himself.

    The titan¡¯s shadow blocked his view of the shimmering dome as the the ground rushed up to meet them.

    Joe winced, bracing for impact. Immense pain overwhelmed him. The weight of the titan crushed his bones, but the sensation was short-lived.

    Darkness shrouded him once again as a number of notifications streamed across his vision.

    The final one flashing red.

    [You have died.]

    ¡°Good job, chump.¡± The blue flame mocked with laughter.

 Chapter 17: Respawn of the Dead

    Met with the same respawn notification, Joe chose to return to the battledome.

    A sense of relief washed over him as the Greensnare''s HP displayed zero. Glancing at his own stats, his face scrunched with a peculiar finding. While his mana particles hadn''t regenerated with the respawn, his health and stamina had returned to max capacity.

    Multiple system notifications indicated several level-ups, but an unusual MP Max Capacity notification caused him to pause. Even if his mana levels weren''t full, he had more mana than when he had been crushed by the Greensnare. He shrugged the notification away, figuring he¡¯d look further into it when he assigned his flex points. Right now he wanted to check if his new friends were okay.

    Joe adjusted his hoodie around his neck and walked over to Brian, who was kneeling close to the Greensnare''s oozing core hole.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Joe tugged on the cords of his hoodie as TJ approached, arms crossed.

    ¡°How are you supposed to collect titan tears if the Greensnare has no eyes?¡±

    ¡°Its eyes are hidden here.¡± Brian looked up as he capped a vial and retrieved it from the gaping hole at the back of the titan. Joe recognized the guard cell''s pores, now purging sap, each droplet trailing the vine like a tear. ¡°These titan tears will help me create more potent potions for mana regeneration.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯ll be really useful...¡± A glint caught Joe¡¯s eye. He glanced around at the lifeless form, the ground littered with thorns from the blood roses. Grinning, he grabbed one, its earthen shell as hardy as the knotted vines.

    [Blood Rose Thorn. This earth-affinity plant armor is enhanced when combined with water-based items.]

    He tossed a few of them into his backpack inventory.

    A notification appeared and hovered above the titan:

    [Congratulations! Floor One Titan Greensnare Guardian has been defeated. Floor Two is unlocked for all ascenders. Proceed with caution to your designated zones.]

    Joe¡¯s chest burned as the blue flame flickered to life. ¡°Being first might make you famous, but it won¡¯t stop the knives. Can you spot the back-patters from the back-stabbers? Smiles are cheap, after all." .¡±

    I''ll figure it out, been backstabbed enough times before. So, why should I trust a word you say when you¡¯re still a mystery to me.

    ¡°Heard that one before. Come up with something original, why don¡¯t you. It¡¯s not time for a bed-time story. Live long enough and you¡¯ll find out everything you need to know about me.¡±

    You¡¯re as funny as a root-canal.

    Joe welcomed the silence that followed. He looked around, soaking in the scene of the Greensnare¡¯s downfall.

    The titan''s body slowly started to fade, and shimmering green crystals dropped from overhead to the ground in its place.

    The border dome around them disappeared, and a horde of ascenders cheered, rushing toward them.

    Dawn waved to another green zone ascender, and the rather short changeling sprinted closer.

    The changeling straightened his long, brown beard. ¡°Congratulations, Dawn. I¡¯m happy you managed to find a faction other than Andras¡¯.¡± He glanced at Joe and gave him a subtle nod. He planted a hand on his hip, his stature about half Joe¡¯s height. ¡°And to defeat the first titan is even better.¡±

    ¡°Ryan, this is Joe.¡± Dawn gestured from one to the other. ¡°You were one of the top factions I¡¯d have joined if it weren¡¯t for Gaia.¡± Her sharp gaze shifted to a thin, blond haired gal whose gaze seemed locked onto the crystals. Eyes lit with hunger, Gaia lunged towards them, grasping at the loot, but her hands passed right through as if the crystals were holographs.

    ¡°By Saturn¡¯s crab infested ballsack, this¡­this is an outrage,¡± Gaia hissed, eyes narrowed on the loot.

    ¡°Eh, nice to meet you.¡± Joe knelt down, distracted by Gaia¡¯s failed attempt to grab the loot. He paused, a distant growl echoing across the field from among the other ascenders further away.

    Alert, Joe scanned the crowds but when no other suspicious growls followed he turned his attention back to the changeling.

    Ryan nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her, she¡¯s mighty competitive. You all deserve the loot from your kill¡­¡± He shot a warning glance at Gaia. ¡°...not any other ascender.¡±

    ¡°This is a waste of my precious time.¡± Gaia sneered. She stormed off, disappearing through the crowds of ascenders.

    ¡°Catch you guys later.¡± Ryan dipped his head and gave a salute. Dashing after Gaia he slowed and called over his shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re the Blanche Brigade by the way.¡±

    Joe grasped one, his fingers met with a cool, rough texture. As he lifted the vibrant green crystal in his hands a notification appeared:

    [Time Crystal. This loot stores time from the Immortality Jackpot. If chosen, one can transfer the time without penalty.]

    Joe¡¯s chest heated as the blue flame appeared. ¡°Surprise, surprise, you managed to survive long enough to defeat the titan. These crystals will be your only saving grace in this tower. Take them all.¡±

    Joe furrowed his brows in disagreement with the blue flame¡¯s greediness, but curiosity for understanding the gravity of the loot proved necessary. He shoved the crystal against his chest, his shoulders tense as he waited for an electrifying sensation.

    The blue flame chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, use your forehead.¡±

    Frowning, Joe pressed it to his forehead. In an instant, his Ascender number increased by five years. ¡°Holy shit.¡± The emerald green faded to a dull black. He glanced around at Dawn and TJ as they grasped their own time crystal loot.

    ¡°We earn time loot when we kill a titan.¡± Joe picked up another. There had to be at least twenty more lying around from where the Greensnare had lay slain, and it all belonged to his faction.

    Dawn nodded. ¡°Even more reason for us to be the ones to kill each titan.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let them take your time away, Joe.¡± The flame in his chest flared.

    Joe shook his head, his thoughts directed toward the blue flame. It¡¯s not my time to keep. All of the Titan Slayers deserve the loot as much as me.

    ¡°Five for each of us¡ªthat¡¯s twenty more years added to our ascender numbers.¡± Joe winced. He was more than thankful none of them were GORED in the time it took to defeat the Greensnare. He could have risked respawning a few more times had he known they could get a larger number of years back from the loot.

    Like kids in a candy store, TJ and Rose grinned with each crystal they lifted. Around him ascender¡¯s lost interest in the unobtainable loot and regrouped into their factions each going their separate ways.

    Something stirred in his gut telling him to grab the loot and get the hell outta there. Hairs rose on his neck as he jolted to his feet, his eyes searching the streams of ascenders moving away.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Dawn asked, her eyes following his gaze.

    Joe¡¯s shoulders tensed as she brushed his arm. ¡°Not sure. Thought I¡¯d heard something.¡±

    ¡°Heard what?¡± TJ took a guarded stance beside him. Rose joined them.

    ¡°A growl, I think, but it was way off, over there. We should¡ª¡±

    Blood-curdling screams shifted Joe¡¯s attention to distant ascenders as they scattered, fleeing the area. Activating Quick Wit, his eyes widened as a handful of pale-faced, large-eyed ascenders shuffled toward them. ¡°What the fuck is that?¡±

    Brian frowned, placing the cap on his collection bottle. ¡°What are they screaming for? Those look like ascenders,...but in ash gray hoodies?¡± He stored the Titan¡¯s tears he¡¯d collected in his ring, his face grim.

    Joe blinked again, rechecking his perception with Quick Wit. He shook his head. ¡°They looked like they¡¯ve been smoking some weed.¡±

    TJ frowned, offering Joe his butterfly knives he dropped earlier. ¡°Maybe they were covered in magic soot from the battledome disappearing? I don¡¯t care what they¡¯ve been smoking, if they try anything funny, stab first, ask questions later.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, everyone keep your weapons handy.¡± Joe grabbed his weapons from TJ. ¡°They¡¯re like grays.¡±

    Brows scrunched, TJ dusted fresh dirt off his hoodie. ¡°Grays?¡±

    Dawn joined their side. ¡°Grays like in aliens¡­ones that apparently aren¡¯t a part of your world.¡±

    Joe tilted his head at Dawn¡¯s mention of aliens. Did ratfolk have them in their world too?

    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°This is like Fifty Shades of Gray.¡± Rose giggled, grasping a couple of time crystals. ¡°Where¡¯s the whips and chains?¡±

    Joe smiled at the joke, telling by her serious look she was trying to ease the tension as even with their slow shuffling, the gray ascenders were getting closer.

    His senses screamed at the creepy as fuck ¡®uncanny valley¡¯ shit.

    ¡°Poppy, those things almost seem to be ascenders; they¡¯re wearing the same hoodies, but in gray. What¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip, those are the hollows Lich Master released!¡±

    ¡°So, they¡¯re monsters or NPCs?¡± Joe flicked his butterfly knife, readying to attack.

    ¡°Wrong, Joe. They¡¯re ejected ascenders¡ªthe GORED. Sad-sad, once their time ticks away they forever gone.¡±

    An orange hooded ascender slipped, the hollow shuffling toward them. The ascender released a gurgling scream and rose to its own feet with sporadic, jerky movements. A notification appeared above his head:

    [Debuff Touch of Madness: 5:00]

    The ascender scrambled after the next nearest ascender wearing a red hoodie. In an instant, the same notification appeared above their head.

    Joe¡¯s jaw dropped, his eyes struggling to make sense of what the hell he was seeing. The crazed ascender leapt at a Ratfolk ascender rushing past and tore into him with his bare hands. Coming to his aid a green hooded changeling thrust his sword deep into the attacking ascender¡¯s chest, blood sprayed his manic face.

    He smeared the blood all over like it was warpaint and his face was a canvas. Crimson dripped over bloodshot eyes as he caught the sword-wielding ascender on the arm.

    The same debuff notification flashed above his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s a domino effect with a single touch.¡± Joe¡¯s heart raced as all hell broke loose.

    Joe couldn¡¯t help feeling like a cornered rat as the group backed up together. An elf ascender cried out as the sword-wielding ascender locked blood crazed eyes with her. Dropping his weapon he charged at her. A dagger appeared in her hand, fear ruined her aim as the blade flew past him.

    With no concern for his safety the mad man picked up speed.

    Brian pulled his crossbow on him and let his bolt fly. It sank into the throat of the crazed ascender but he didn¡¯t flinch. His eyes wild and fingers hooked into claws as he jumped and tackled the woman to the ground.

    ¡°That bolt had enough sleep-inducing toxin to take down an elephant.¡± Brian¡¯s voice raised with shock.

    ¡°Weapons are useless.¡± TJ pointed his blade at a hollow shuffling along with an arrow sticking out of one eye.

    Joe froze in place as the female elf, now with the debuff, flung the changeling with a man-bun off of her. She raced after a fleeing kobold. Attacking from behind with a sharp pull on his hair she tore his scalp off.

    Blood spilled down the dying ascender''s face as it twisted in agony. His expression turned to blind rage as the touch of madness notification appeared.

    The fear that gripped Joe when fighting the Greensnare paled in comparison to the carnage they now faced, spreading like a killer zombie plague. ¡°Less than twenty seconds, and that elf demolished another ascender.¡±

    A stream of water surged from Rose¡¯s staff, but the hollow remained steady on its feet. Dawn¡¯s hands glowed and TJ raised his blade but the look of fear in their eyes was unmistakable.

    Not shifting her gaze from the chaos, Dawn gritted her teeth. ¡°We took down a titan, what if we target the hollow¡¯s who started this whole mess?¡±

    Brian grabbed Dawn. ¡°No. We need to run!¡±

    Joe nodded his head. ¡°There¡¯s too many of them, if we don¡¯t escape now we¡¯ll be swarmed. What happens when we die while under the Touch of Madness debuff?¡±

    Rose shook her head. ¡°Hard to know. Not one of them has died yet.¡± Her gaze shifted to a trembling ratfolk who took out a small blade and slit its small throat.

    Its lifeless body slumped to the ground.

    TJ frowned. ¡°Why isn¡¯t the body disappearing? Doesn¡¯t that poor little ratfolk have a respawn token?¡±

    ¡°See there!¡± A hoarse cackle boomed overhead. ¡°That¡¯s what I call a cowardly fool, Poppy.¡±

    ¡°Why-why, Master?¡± Joe could hear Poppy¡¯s tail swishing side-to-side through the hidden speaker.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t read the finer, smaller print during induction. Poppy, be a darling and enlighten everyone.¡±

    ¡°Ending life on purpose is a big no-no. Penalties include respawn token delay, time penalty, AND respawn costs a whole seven years.¡±

    Joe swallowed hard, unable to tear his gaze from the body lying there. The blood pooled around it, dark and foreboding. A GORED notification blinked into his vision, then turned gray and slowly faded away, leaving a chill down his spine.

    A snarl and a wet cracking sound snapped his attention back to the frenzied trail of dismemberment. Ascenders were tearing each other apart everywhere he looked, a gruesome ballet of chaos and carnage.

    A dark elf, caught up in the bloody melee, ripped a kobold¡¯s arm off at the shoulder and threw it to the ground with a sickening thud. Turning around, he locked bloodshot eyes on Joe, who felt a shiver run down his back.

    The elf''s manic grin was a promise of violence.

    Rose, sweeping her staff in all directions, kept the dark elf¡¯s attacks at bay with her water shield. The effort etched lines of strain on her face, dark circles shadowed her eyes. ¡°I can''t keep this up much longer, we need to move.¡±

    ¡°Dawn, check your map. We need to locate the nearest entry point to the second floor.¡± Joe tried to keep his voice steady despite the terror gnawing at his insides.

    The changeling lowered her eyes. When she looked up, her grim face told them she didn¡¯t have good news.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you find it? I¡¯m really attached to my arms and legs and want to keep it that way.¡± TJ''s voice cracked, eyes wide with panic as they darted between Dawn and the attacking horde.

    ¡°Good news is I found it¡­¡± Dawn began, her voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°And the bad news?¡± Brian asked, his face pale and tight with fear.

    Dawn¡¯s mouth set in a hard line. ¡°We have to make it back to the Orange Zone. Before you ask why, I can enter your zone¡ªyou can¡¯t enter the Green Zone.¡±

    Joe''s mind raced, adrenaline flooding his system.

    Using Quick Wit, he mapped a path through the chaos. ¡°Alright, defensive formation. Dawn and Rose, use your fire and water attacks to slow them down. We need to move, now!¡±

    They formed up, moving as one through the seething mass of enemies. Dawn''s fire scorched a path, while Rose''s water shield repelled attacks. It didn¡¯t stop the ascenders, but it slowed them down enough so they could dodge and evade.

    Joe''s heart pounded in his chest, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The stench of blood and sweat filled his nostrils, making him nauseous.

    By the time they outran the masses, Joe¡¯s lungs were burning for air, but together, they kept moving, driven by sheer willpower and fear of the pursuing horde. The forest jungle blurred as they crashed through it, branches slashing at their faces and limbs. He lost track of how much time had passed. Dawn guided them through the fastest route back to the safety zone using her map, her voice calm but urgent.

    Reaching the zone entrance, they stopped to catch their breath. Joe bent over, hands on his knees, he gulped air. Numbness weighed down his limbs like lead, but relief flooded through him¡ªthey¡¯d survived.

    He didn¡¯t want to think of the dire consequences of dying while under the influence of Touch of Madness. The memory of the GORED notification lingered in his mind, a grim reminder of what could happen.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know about you guys, but I could do with a stiff drink after that,¡± Joe said, his voice shaking as he attempted to steady his breath. He looked around at his friends, grateful for their presence.

    The floor rippled underneath his feet as he led them through the Orange Zone to a hallway where he¡¯d seen elevator doors. ¡°Once we are on the second floor, we can rest and regenerate our mana.¡±

    Pressing the up button, the elevators opened with a chime. One by one, they stumbled into the elevator and leaned against its wall.

    Rose gasped as her fingers skimmed the rows of buttons. ¡°There¡¯s thirteen floors. Hmm¡­what happens if we choose a higher floor?¡± The button decompressed, but no light or movement from the elevator quickly answered that question. She sighed and pushed floor two.

    Joe inhaled, leaning his head against the wall. ¡°Thirteen is an unlucky number in my world.¡±

    ¡°An immortality jackpot awaits there, so maybe not so unlucky in the lich¡¯s tower?¡± Brian raised a brow. ¡°That is if you believe the lich.¡±

    ¡°Going up.¡± An announcement came through the speaker overhead.

    With the blare of a horn, the elevator jerked sideways. Joe¡¯s eyes widened as he steadied himself, grabbing onto a rail. Their bodies swayed as the elevator shifted into a diagonal direction.

    Brian scratched his jaw. ¡°I don¡¯t know what we just experienced back there, but I never want to experience that again. That was worse than the time I wandered into the wrong dwarven mine shaft.¡±

    ¡°That was messed up.¡± TJ sheathed his machete, his eyes glossed over as he stared forward. ¡°Where did those hollows come from?¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°They used to be ascenders¡ª¡±

    ¡°But they were GORED.¡± Joe¡¯s breath caught in his chest as the images flooded back. ¡°I think one of those hollows was that ratfolk who died during the spore attack.¡±

    Frowning, Brian hummed as the elevator continued to shift in a downward direction. ¡°In an instant, ascenders dropped like flies.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s knuckles whitened as her grip tightened on the railing. ¡°Time-rich or time poor.¡±

    Brian tapped his foot. ¡°It didn¡¯t even matter if they were outfitted with green, orange, and red.¡±

    ¡°Ejected!¡± Joe shouted. ¡°Didn¡¯t Poppy say something about being ejected?¡±

    With a smirk, Dawn nodded. ¡°Each hollow lacked any remnants of a soul.¡±

    ¡°Being GORED is worse than death.¡± TJ crossed his arms, blinking his eyes into focus. ¡°Did any of you check out your stats yet? I¡¯ve gained xxx levels.¡±

    Joe pulled up his stats. ¡°Bronze Rank Ascender, QRL 12 with eight flex points to assign.¡± He skimmed the notifications.

    [Faction: Titan Slayers

    Bronze Rank Faction, QRL 6

    Active Ascenders: 5

    Non-Active Ascenders: 0]

    [Prolonged Exposure to Mana Particles. Ascender Boon: Mana capacity increased by 10%.]

    ¡°Hey, did you guys get a boon to your MP too?¡±

    TJ nodded. ¡°Yeah, ten percent!¡±

    Dawn, Rose, and Brian shared a perplexed expression before Brian spoke. ¡°No, how¡¯d that happen?¡±

    ¡°Says prolonged exposure¡­¡± Joe paused as he replayed the fight. TJ and him were the only ones that he knew had scaled the Greensnare. ¡°Must have been from touching the titan before we respawned.¡±

    With a jolt, the elevator stopped and the doors opened with a chime. Joe¡¯s stomach turned slightly queasy. He dismissed his mana boon notification and glanced at TJ who gagged. ¡°Rough ride, huh?¡±

    Brian shook his head, gesturing at other ascenders who curled up on the ground, splatters of vomit surrounding them. ¡°Mana poisoning.¡±

    Joe stepped over a puddle, a number two distorted beneath it. He rubbed his chest as the blue flame returned, replacing the annoyance of the short-lived nausea. If you¡¯re not going to be helpful, don¡¯t bother speaking to me.

    ¡°Welcome to the second floor, chump.¡± The flame¡¯s voice was bitter with contempt ¡°Consider yourself grateful that you¡¯re not wallowing in self-pity like them. You¡¯d be crawling along like a little crab unable to handle the higher levels of mana up here if you hadn¡¯t the balls to face the titan and jump on his mana saturated back. I am not sure if it was an act of bravery or stupidity.¡±

    Light footsteps followed him as the rest of his faction piled out of the elevator, minding their step. Joe glanced over his shoulder as the doors closed behind them with another chime.

    A screen along the hallway wall flickered to life. ¡°Welcome, welcome!¡± The lich¡¯s skull seemed to dance with enjoyment as he eyed the floor filled with crippled ascenders. ¡°Less ascenders here than I would have thought for making it to the second floor. What did you say, Poppy? Two hundred and something ascenders lost.¡± He tossed up his hands in a nonchalant gesture. ¡°Ah, well, more hollows means the jackpot of immortality grows.¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip, more time for the winner.¡±

 Chapter 18: Echoes of Regret

    Joe tapped his finger on the table as he crunched on his stash of dried seaweed. Somehow, the package regenerated while in his inventory, along with the amount of smoke pellets. He wasn¡¯t certain if resting in a bunk helped the snack¡¯s regeneration like it did with mana restoration, or whether it had something to do with reaching another floor, or if it was simply related to being in his inventory. At this point, he didn¡¯t care.

    TJ walked in with a bounce in his step, and it wasn¡¯t due to the soft, squishy ground beneath his feet. Stretching his arms overhead, he let out a loud yawn before plonking his ass down onto a bone-carved seat opposite Joe.

    ¡°Is it me, or are these butt cushions more comfy than the first floor ones?¡± TJ settled in with a satisfied sigh.

    Joe nodded, finishing the last of his seaweed flake and savoring the taste. He flexed his arms, the subtle sensation of strength returning to his muscles.

    ¡°You¡¯re remarkably chipper. Must¡¯ve slept like a baby.¡± Brian leaned forward and skimmed the table surface with his large hands.

    ¡°Slept like a baby. Ha, that¡¯s a good one. No! Hatchlings have to sleep with one eye open where I come from.¡± TJ puffed his chest out, jabbing it with his thumb. ¡°I slept like a frickin¡¯ emperor. Those bunks were extra comfy. I think we more than deserve that.¡±

    Joe sniffed the air. ¡°It smells much better here. Not so salty and sweaty.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the last floor smelled like a whale''s vagina.¡± TJ¡¯s nose scrunched.

    Dawn kicked back in her seat and laughed. ¡°You can stop there. I don''t even want to know how you know what that smells like.¡± She drummed her slender fingers across the shiny table, her grin widening as she looked around. ¡°I was expecting worse, to be brutally honest. This doesn¡¯t compare to what we had in the green room. I¡¯ll spare you the details as I don¡¯t want to sicken you more than the mana is doing right now. But, if we kill the boss on this level, it might earn us enough time to make you all green zoners.¡±

    ¡°I need peppermint tea.¡± Rose looked pale as she patted her stomach. ¡°First, we need to acclimatize to the mana levels. Don¡¯t forget to earn more time using the battlebox and buy better resources. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if challenges start again soon.¡± She gestured to some green-looking ascenders analyzing gameplay from floor one battlebox matches. Joe blinked, noticing they were watching their melee battle against Andras. He looked away and winced, knowing how badly that ended for them.

    Rose moved to stand. ¡°Anyone fancy a hot drink? The peppermint tea was delicious in our last common room.¡±

    ¡°Take it easy, princess. You still look like a stiff breeze could knock you over. I¡¯ll get this.¡± Dawn placed a hand on Rose''s forearm halting her progress and stood up. ¡°Anyone else want a drink?¡±

    TJ¡¯s eyes lit up, his hand raised and waving about. ¡°Me!¡±

    ¡°Great.¡± Dawn gestured to a sleek-looking unit that wouldn¡¯t look out of place in Star Trek. ¡°Get it yourself.¡±

    TJ¡¯s scowl didn¡¯t last long as his eyes landed on where she¡¯d been pointing. ¡°Hell yeah!¡± He shot to his feet and joined her. ¡°We didn¡¯t have whatever the hell that is on our floor last time.¡±

    Brian nodded. ¡°Looks like our common room facilities levels up with each floor.¡±

    The soft pulsing orange glow from the moving walls and ceilings turned Dawn¡¯s fiery hair molten as she moved around the table.

    ¡°What are you having?¡± Joe glanced at Dawn.

    ¡°Tea. Earl Grey.¡±

    Joe smiled and couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°Hot?¡±

    Dawn gave a simple nod, no hint of a smile she¡¯d caught his earth reference. ¡°I¡¯ll get you one, simply for being not as annoying as TJ.¡±

    ¡°Ouch.¡± TJ moved like he¡¯d been punched in the gut. ¡°That hurt. I might look tough, but I¡¯ve got feelings, you know.¡±

    Spinning on her boot heel, Dawn marched away, one hand in the air, fingers moving in a funny gesture. ¡°Listen TJ, that¡¯s the world¡¯s smallest violin playing just for you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m getting an energy drink. Citrus Blast is my favorite. Anyone want some if they have it?¡±

    ¡°Black coffee for me.¡± Brian puffed on his vape pen. TJ shook his head and trailed after Dawn.

    Joe was thankful Dawn knew how to use the drinks machine because, after some button-bashing and cursing fits from TJ, she calmly intervened.

    Not long after, they returned and placed two trays that looked like they were made from kaiju scales.

    ¡°Food¡¯s free, but some of it tastes so awful you couldn¡¯t give it away.¡± TJ grumbled.

    ¡°I was surprised. It was much better quality in the green zone on the first floor.¡± Dawn offered Joe a steaming cup that looked like it was made from a kaiju claw.

    Joe bowed his head with a grateful smile. ¡°I¡¯ll go get it the next time.¡±

    Her warm hand touched his, her eyes softening. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, you took one for the team.¡± Dawn sat down. ¡°I bet you had to go more than fist deep to get that core.¡±

    Joe shrugged, figuring that was the best reply.

    ¡°Hey, I took many hits for the team. Remember, I¡¯m the tank.¡± TJ plonked the black coffee in front of Brian, spilling some as his eyes were on Dawn.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Before World War III broke out between them, Joe raised his cup. ¡°To the Titan Slayers.¡±

    Standing, TJ grabbed a flute-like fancy glass that looked comically small in his meaty hand.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Rose raised her cup of peppermint tea, the fragrance spilling around them like a refreshing balm.

    ¡°It¡¯s a Sparkling Electrolyte Elixir,¡± TJ said with exaggerated grandeur.

    Savoring the smell, Brian paused, then raised his half-spilled coffee. ¡°It¡¯s notions, that¡¯s what it is.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve killed one titan, and you¡¯re getting notions. First, you¡¯re drinking fancy sodas in fancy glasses. What¡¯s next, you¡¯ll be expecting a throne to sit on?¡± His booming laughter lightened the mood, even TJ''s.

    ¡°Speaking of notions, how come you greens are slumming it with the likes of us?¡± TJ looked directly at Dawn and Rose.

    ¡°If you¡¯d been paying attention, you might recall the rules clearly state green zoners can enter orange and red zones. You guys can only enter orange or red zones. And reds are stuck in the red zone only.¡±

    ¡°Why would we choose to go to the red zone?¡± TJ shrugged. ¡°No offense to those guys, but they¡¯ve got shit amenities.¡±

    ¡°One wrong turn, and you could become one of ¡®those guys¡¯ that you refer to.¡± A voice smooth as oil cut in, but to Joe¡¯s senses, it sounded greasy and sleazy as the owner who was picking his pale elf fingers into quote marks, making him look even more of a pretentious asshole than he was.

    ¡°Andras. Didn¡¯t expect to see you here.¡± Joe gave him a flat look.

    ¡°Yeah, run along.¡± Dawn gave him the finger. ¡°The asshole convention isn¡¯t on here ¡®til next week.¡±

    The dark elf took out a lace hanky and blotted his mouth. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m only walking off the most delicious meal in the green zone. Everything¡¯s complimentary there, unlike here. Work hard, and you too might one day be rich and powerful like me.¡± He raised his voice on that last part to ensure everyone in the common room heard him.

    Lucky came to his side with big round eyes filled with adoration.

    ¡°Oh, hi Lucky.¡± Rose tipped her teacup, her smile genuine.

    Her sweet voice broke him from his trance, and he gave her a shy wave. If his little rat cheeks could blush under all that hair, they would have. ¡°Hi Rose,¡± he squeaked in a small voice.

    ¡°You took quite a dive earlier. Glad to see you¡¯re back in one piece.¡± TJ offered the little guy a high five.

    The little ratfolk looked up uncertainly as Andras placed a hand on his small shoulder.

    ¡°Don¡¯t leave him hanging there.¡± Andras gestured for Lucky to high five TJ back. Once he did, Andras gave Lucky a smile of approval and clasped his hands in front.

    ¡°Would love to stay and chat.¡± He flicked his lank dark hair from his eye. ¡°But I¡¯m rather busy. Enjoy your beverages.¡± He spat the words out like poison.

    Marching over to where ascenders were watching battlebox scenes play out, he waved his arms high in a grand gesture. ¡°Gather round, orange zoners. It is I, Andras Lyranth. You may know me as Ascender 245. I was once where you are now,¡± he said with his eyes downcast, voice oozing dramatic flair, ¡°down, out, destitute, all hope lost. But I didn¡¯t give up.¡± He looked up, eyes dark pools waiting to suck Joe in and swallow him into an abyss.

    The world seemed to shift and change. Subtle at first, but it pressed in on Joe, tiny whispers in his ear like a ghost of intrusive thoughts spilling over turning his blood to ice water. The room was silent, hanging on Andras'' every word.

    A touch on his arm from Dawn snapped him out of the trance.

    ¡°Fucking emo elf bard¡­¡± she hissed.

    ¡°I won¡¯t bore you with the details of how I did it, but I come here out of the goodness of my heart to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win some precious time. All you have to do is accept my battlebox challenge.¡±

    Before he even finished that sentence, the majority of ascenders had swarmed him like moths to a flame.

    Joe sighed. ¡°Swear he was a Super Bowl Sunday star the way they¡¯re fawning over him.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a Super Bowl?¡± Dawn looked around as if searching for an actual bowl to compare it to.

    ¡°The best of the best football players play in it,¡± Joe said, surprised she hadn''t gotten the reference as she understood so many others. Maybe she was a former ratfolk, and he was wrong to think she''d be lying.

    ¡°Sounds excellent, bro, like Quackball.¡± TJ raised a fist. ¡°Go Ducks! Those guys have duckbills the size of shovels, are built like brick shithouses, covered in yellow downy feathers, and they¡¯re fast on their webbed feet¡ªeven faster in water.¡±

    Joe crossed his arms, their conversation lighting a memory he had long forgotten. He could almost hear the roar of the crowds. After his parents died, his granddad had taken care of him and his sister Emma. He was such a sports nut, taking them to every game until¡­

    He must¡¯ve looked upset because Brian noticed. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost. Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let that fucker Andras get the better of you. We should challenge him and put him on his ass this time. We know his sneaky tricks now.¡±

    ¡°Talking of the Super Bowl reminded me of the last one I went to with my sister before she got sick. My granddad looked after us both and he loved the game.¡± Joe shook his head. ¡°As for Andras, we tread carefully before we accept any challenge.¡±

    ¡°Wise words.¡± Brian shifted forward, setting his cup down.

    Dawn showed she¡¯d been listening the whole time despite her harsh glare fixed on Andras. ¡°Your grandpa sounds like a good man. And Emma?¡±

    ¡°She was a fighter. Smiled through all the pain. I feel like I abandoned her when she needed me most.¡± A lump formed in his throat.

    Lucky¡¯s cheerful laughter in the background broke him from his sorrow. Joe felt uneasy under his friends'' sympathetic gazes. He hadn''t intended to share so much.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t abandon her, you died.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes circled the group. ¡°We all did.¡± Somehow Joe didn¡¯t feel like it was enough of an excuse on his part. The squirming in his stomach of shame persisted. If he¡¯d been more careful, hadn¡¯t run out in front of the truck¡­

    He shot that thought down. Guilt and shame were things he¡¯d have to carry and box away for now. They wouldn¡¯t help him or his friends here, especially with the likes of Andras to deal with.

    Right now, he needed information. He looked at Andras, enjoying all the attention. It was a distraction. A distraction he needed to get that information and help his ratfolk friend.

    Smiling, Joe waved a hand at Lucky, signaling him to come over. The little guy skipped over, his tail whipping up behind him. ¡°Hey Joe.¡±

    TJ looked down, pointing urgently. ¡°Mind the gap.¡±

    Lucky froze, looked down, and rubbed his chest when he realized TJ was joking. ¡°Phew! That was scary for a moment but not as scary as falling into that crack on the first floor.¡±

    TJ¡¯s voice turned sober, and he wore a guilty expression. ¡°Sorry man, I was messing with you. I bet it was no picnic.¡±

    ¡°Apology accepted.¡± Lucky grinned. ¡°You know, I was actually rather fortunate to die before the hollows arrived.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Lucky, ya crafty rascal.¡± Dawn elbowed him. ¡°For once, you lived up to your name.¡±

    ¡°Glad to have you with us, Lucky.¡± Joe gestured with a welcoming arm. ¡°Take a seat, let¡¯s talk stats and time crystals.¡±

    Lucky hesitated for a moment, glancing over his shoulder with twitchy whiskers. Once he saw Andras busy schmoozing with the orange zoners, he turned back and sat down.

    ¡°Ooooh, it¡¯s my next favorite thing to talk about right after plants, fungi, and animals! They¡¯re my favorite and my best.¡± He clapped his little rat paws. ¡°Tell me, what would you like to know?¡±

 Chapter 19: Magic Goombas

    Talking with Lucky hadn¡¯t gone as well as Joe had hoped. Andras¡¯ charisma charm still hung in the air like a toxic fog. Joe had suspected that slippery bastard was up to something, and he was right.

    Like Joe, the dark elf knew about Lucky¡¯s scavenger¡¯s luck racial trait. The crystal Joe had seen in Andras¡¯ hand earlier was indeed a time crystal. Andras had convinced Lucky to hand it over for "safekeeping," claiming others would kill him for it and that he couldn¡¯t afford to die again.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a storage device of your own?¡± Joe asked, gesturing to Lucky''s backpack.

    ¡°I do, but Andras said¡ª¡±

    ¡°If he says that again¡­¡± TJ growled, slamming his fist on the table. ¡°Fuck Andras. Don¡¯t listen to a word that asshole says.¡±

    Dawn nodded in agreement.

    Lucky¡¯s eyes went wide like a deer caught in the headlights while Rose raised an eyebrow, tilting her head as if deciding whether TJ was speaking literally this time. Although the system translated their words into a common tongue that they could all understand, the slang phrases between worlds were not always the same.

    Lucky rubbed his temple, the movement pulling taut at a thin line of wrinkles. If ratfolk could visibly sweat, Lucky would have been drenched.

    Joe placed a calming hand on his shoulder. ¡°What TJ means is just be careful. Don¡¯t count on Andras to protect you. Your storage device is safe from prying eyes, no matter what he tells you.¡±

    ¡°Andras said there¡¯s a rumor of a time hacker who can see everything.¡±

    ¡°Time hacker?¡± Joe leaned forward, wondering if this was another of Andras'' lies to keep the ratfolk in check.

    Lucky covered his mouth, his shoulders sagging as his hand dropped to his side. Looking down at his boots, he sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a rumor. I don¡¯t know any more, and I¡¯m not supposed to talk about it. Please don¡¯t say a word¡­¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t tell anyone, Lucky. I promise. Scout¡¯s honor,¡± Joe said, raising his hand. Now was the perfect time to change to a lighter topic. ¡°We have time crystals too after killing the Titan, and some loot¡ªnot to mention flex points to attribute. How about you?¡±

    The tension left Lucky, and he grinned. ¡°I found agaric fungi, but I need a proper alchemist to extract them. I¡¯m a Druid, and we have similar ones in our world, but the identification was a bare minimum, so I¡¯m only guessing at the properties.¡±

    ¡°May I have a look?¡± Brian asked, his tone barely concealing his curiosity.

    Lucky nodded and handed over the magic red and white striped mushrooms.

    Brian''s eyes took on a silvery glow as he examined them, a smile forming on his lips as he inhaled from a vape pen. When he finished, he handed them back to Lucky. ¡°You¡¯re right, they are tageticolor gilled mushrooms. But there¡¯s more intriguing details that I identified.¡± He puffed smoke from his lips. ¡°Upon consumption, the illusionary effect takes twenty minutes, but if broken down into powder form and consumed in a drink, it is immediate. How much do you have?¡±

    ¡°I picked one hundred of them in the shade of a walking palm tree before we encountered those scary spores on the first floor and Andras decided against tackling Greensnare. That¡¯s when we came across you guys.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re interested in trading, I¡¯ll give you five years per twenty mushrooms and a bottle of finished potion if you trade me half.¡±

    Lucky didn¡¯t hesitate. They shook hands, and the time currency transaction took place.

    ¡°Pleasure doing business with you,¡± Brian said, smoothing his goatee.

    ¡°Thank you. I much prefer gaining time this way.¡± Lucky tapped his palm on the table.

    Joe felt a pang of the harsh truth behind those words. The little guy hated fighting and didn¡¯t have the street smarts for the battlebox. By trading this way, it didn¡¯t feel like charity; it felt like a fair deal.

    Joe smiled. ¡°Any time you have items to trade, we¡¯re interested. Can you find us using your scavenger¡¯s luck?¡±

    Lucky bit his lip, his whiskers twitching. ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I better get back.¡± His brow furrowed as if it pained him to speak. He stepped back on shaky legs and stared at Joe like he was facing death.

    The smile vanished from Joe¡¯s face.

    ¡°Lucky, I¡¯m sorry if I said the wrong thing. I didn¡¯t mean to pry,¡± Joe said, about to stand until Lucky motioned him back with a wave of his hands.

    ¡°Not at all, Joe. I must go. It¡¯s been great talking to you. See you soon.¡± He scampered back to Andras with his little rat tail between his legs.

    ¡°What the hell was that about?¡± Dawn asked, her eyes narrowing as she watched Lucky leave.

    TJ drained his drink dry and placed the fancy glass down with exaggerated care, as if fearing it might shatter. ¡°You¡¯d think you asked him to jump on the table and dance naked.¡±

    ¡°Once you mentioned his scavenger trait, he disappeared faster than green grass through a goose,¡± Rose said with a smirk.

    Joe sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°Andras must have some spell preventing Lucky from talking about it. He¡¯s using Lucky to his benefit, earning time crystals without lifting a finger. He''ll keep Lucky around as long as he¡¯s useful. What do you guys think about this time hacker rumor? Think it''s real?¡±

    Rose shrugged.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard any rumors, but I¡¯ll keep my eyes and ears open,¡± Brian said.

    Maybe we could ask Poppy about it,¡± Joe suggested, though he wasn¡¯t hopeful. The little kaiju might have information, but even if she did, she wouldn¡¯t share it without risking the lich''s wrath.

    If the rumors about the time hacker were true, was he just another part of this sick, twisted game, or something else? Joe would have to pay real close attention to the lich and Poppy¡¯s reactions when they asked about the time hacker.

    Finishing his tea, Joe motioned to the others to listen closely. ¡°If you haven¡¯t checked them already, now¡¯s the time to go over your reward notifications and skill level-ups. If you need any advice on assigning flex points, we can talk about it.¡±

    They nodded one by one, and it lifted Joe¡¯s spirits to see the trust growing among them. Focusing inward, Joe pulled up his stats.

    [Ascender #: 69

    Race: Human

    Class: Rogue

    QRL: Bronze Rank, QRL 12

    Ascender Status: Orange

    Health Points (HP): 140/140

    Mana Particles (MP): 202/184

    Stamina: 140/140]

    [Levels gained! You have reached Quantum Resonance Level 12, Bronze Rank Ascender.]

    [Eight unassigned flex points remain; expires in 18 hours.]

    [Eternal Honor achieved: Scaler-Increases strength by 10% when scaling objects.]

    His brows rose in pleasant surprise at his new title: Scaler. He wanted to pump his fists and yell out but kept his emotions in check, knowing that while Andras wasn¡¯t within earshot, he would notice any reaction.

    Excitement bubbled in his chest as he saw he¡¯d also gained a level in Shadow Step.

    Dawn nudged him, robbing him of any notion he¡¯d made good at his attempt at a poker face. ¡°You look mighty satisfied with yourself.¡±

    Keeping his voice low, he gave a subtle nod. ¡°Gained a level in Shadow Step. Now I¡¯m not just quieter but also less noticeable to those around me. One of my favorite rogue skills.¡±

    ¡°I could¡¯ve used that back in my home world. Nobody wants attention when it¡¯s the wrong kind.¡± There was a wistful look tinged with sorrow in her tone. It disappeared as soon as it appeared, making Joe question whether it was just his imagination.

    She straightened and snapped her fingers, a blazing spark flying like a mini firework. ¡°Here, I use attention to show people not to fuck with me.¡± The light show grabbed the attention of the ascenders enthralled by Andras for a fleeting moment.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    ¡°With the way my skill tree¡¯s going, I could have the power of a god at my fingertips.¡± Her voice turned menacing, eyes glowing golden, her changeling skin the color of ice aflame and her fiery mane like a halo of immense power.

    A bead of sweat tickled Joe¡¯s brow. It was almost painful to hold her gaze. He looked away, and the creeping dread lifted.

    Dawn blinked, and the light faded, her form shrinking back to normal. She winced in pain. ¡°Shit, sorry. I lost control there. The divine skill¡¯s called Hard Stare. Only supposed to use it on pricks who deserve it. And you, Joe, are not a prick.¡± She winced. ¡°Now I feel like someone stabbed me in the head with an icepick.¡±

    ¡°Here, take this,¡± Brian said, handing her a potion. ¡°It should take the edge off the pain, even one caused by a god.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk flex points,¡± Joe said as soon as Dawn was feeling better. ¡°They expire in eighteen hours, so we can¡¯t afford to lose them.¡± He gave a pointed look at TJ, who just snorted.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I checked my stats and notifications. All my rampaging paid off. I died a legendary hero three times over.¡± He tapped his collarbone. ¡°I¡¯m a QRL 14 with a new berserker skill and leveled up my BK machete.¡±

    ¡°You''re a legend TJ.¡± Rose raised a brow. ¡°All we need is a bard to sing praises of how you laid that titan out.¡±

    Brian chuckled. ¡°No need for a bard, TJ loves singing his own praises. Before you punch me, I¡¯ll add that this time your praise is well earned.¡±

    ¡°Alright everyone,¡± Joe said, taking out a time crystal to refocus the group. ¡°Go ahead and use your time crystal loot.¡± He demonstrated how to absorb the time crystals so everyone could increase their ascender number. He smiled as his ascender number rose to 84.

    The system hadn¡¯t recognized time stored in a crystal; that¡¯s how Andras kept his ascender number the same when he stored the time directly from the injured ascender back on floor one.

    Joe still didn¡¯t know why he didn¡¯t absorb the crystal to improve his ascender number. Banking time in that crystal was risky, especially if it was stolen. He stood to lose a great deal, so it must¡¯ve been worth the risk. Joe wanted to know why.

    Right now, he focused on the important task of assigning flex points. Joe even split  his into wisdom and intelligence, but added two to strength. The bonus title helped cover some of his weakness in strength, which allowed him to focus more on understanding everything about the lich¡¯s game.

    TJ wanted to put all of his into strength, but Brian immediately shut that down. ¡°What happens when you can¡¯t rely on physical strength and speed?¡± He tapped his temple. ¡°There¡¯s more than one reason you need intelligence and charisma. They are not dump stats, you know. If I were you, I¡¯d place¡ª¡±

    ¡°Let me stop you there,¡± TJ said, eager to argue the point. ¡°I¡¯d rather sit in a bath of acid and hammer nails into my head than rely on charisma.¡±

    ¡°I can see where both of you are coming from, but why don¡¯t you consider slowly building up the ones you¡¯d rather ignore,¡± Rose said between sips of tea.

    Joe smiled, appreciating Rose¡¯s diplomatic approach. TJ immediately agreed, and Brian shook his head in dismay.

    Laughter erupted from the crowd surrounding Andras as he finished with a flourishing bow. Joe wondered if Andras leveled up his charisma so he could win over a crowd to lure them into battlebox challenges.

    Glancing back at his friends, Joe slid the Titan core onto the table, keeping it hidden with his arms on either side. ¡°Before he comes over, I wanted to show you this¡ªthe Greensnare core. Brian, can you use your handy skill on this core so we can learn as much about it as possible and use it to our full advantage?¡±

    Brian focused on the core, his eyes turning to a silver glow. ¡°You can pat me on the back later and tell me how wonderful I am. But I¡¯ve just identified something that could be a game-changer for us.¡± His dramatic pause nearly killed TJ, who looked like he was about to die from impatience.

    ¡°Spill it before I spill your guts,¡± TJ said with a low growl.

    ¡°Threatening to kill me, barbarian? How clich¨¦. Dying doesn¡¯t scare me. When you¡¯re dead, you don¡¯t know you¡¯re dead. It¡¯s only painful for others.¡± Brian leveled TJ with a look. ¡°The same applies when you¡¯re ignorant.¡±

    ¡°Okay!¡± Joe cut in, ¡°let¡¯s move on. Brian, what can you do with that core now that we know what it can do?¡±

    Brian looked around. ¡°One moment.¡±

    A new notification appeared.

    [Ascender 66 has invited you to join Titan Slayer party chat.]

    Brian gave him a gentle nod.

    Great idea, especially since they were in a tower made from reanimated kaiju parts that literally could have eyes and ears.

    [Accept: Yes/No]

    Joe selected ¡°Yes,¡± and a screen popped up in his vision. He adjusted it to the upper left as he had been used to back on Earth, so it didn¡¯t obscure his view or make him look down.

    He frowned at the ascender number next to Brian¡¯s message. Hacking the system to bring back their identity would be one of the next things he¡¯d add to his list. The lich couldn¡¯t control everything. None of the Titan Slayers were going to be known as some random number, especially if a titan had a name.

    Skimming the message, he kept a straight face.

    [Reagent Name: Greensnare Guardian Titan Core

    Description: This mana-forged heart of the Greensnare has many uses for earth and water affinities such as immunity and mana regeneration.

    Purity Grade: B

    Trade Value: 100 years]

    [Using Artificer¡¯s Eye, I¡¯ve identified a few more options that we should consider. Basically, it boils down to a powder that benefits earth and water affinity users or I can elevate it by making a potion we can all use.]

    Closing out the message, Joe thought things over. He knew if they chose the powder, only TJ, Brian, and himself would benefit. A smile crept onto his face, it was nice to see Brian was thinking of everyone¡¯s needs and not only his own.

    Joe looked up at his team, excitement and determination building inside him. It snuffed out as soon as Andras strutted over with a smug grin plastered on his face. Activating Shadow Step, Joe placed a hand on the beast core, slid it off the table and placed it on his lap.

    "I¡¯ve got three battlebox challenges lined up," the dark elf said loud enough, making sure everyone heard. "If you lot want to earn more time, you¡¯d better gamble in the ring rather than hope for another titan kill."

    ¡°You saying it was a fluke?¡± TJ gripped the edge of the table like he wanted to throw it at the elf.

    Andras nodded, his grin turning wicked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t rise to the bait, TJ. That¡¯s what he wants.¡± Joe clenched his fist under the table to hide his irritation. Typical Andras, always trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage. He locked eyes with the dark elf, refusing to be intimidated. "We¡¯ll manage," Joe said coolly. "Too afraid to challenge us directly?"

    Andras'' smile widened, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I¡¯m not afraid, I¡¯ve beaten you all before. But that one over there," he pointed towards Gaia, "has it in for you." The implication hung in the air, and Joe couldn''t help but glance at Gaia, who was glaring back at him with undisguised hostility.

    Joe¡¯s mind raced, weighing their options. The last thing he wanted was to play into Andras¡¯ hands, but the dark elf¡¯s words had sparked a competitive fire in his chest.

    ¡°Dawn, any idea why Gaia is staring daggers at me?¡± Joe looked around for Ryan or any other members of the Blanche Brigade, but there was no sign of them.

    Dawn leaned in close. ¡°When we first met, she went full murder hobo. I called her out, and it didn¡¯t go down too well. She¡¯s not just competitive¡ªshe¡¯s a fucking psychopath if you ask me. She kept going on about deserving special treatment, being a goddess before she was killed by some god named Claude.¡±

    ¡°Sounds a bit cuckoo bananas to me,¡± Brian said, shaking his head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it, Joe. Ignore her,¡± Dawn said. ¡°I won¡¯t even waste Hard Stare on her. She knows our party is a force to be reckoned with. Andras is just trying to intimidate you.¡±

    ¡°Someone should tell her it¡¯s rude to stare,¡± Rose added with a soft sigh, more interested in running her hands over the etched patterns of her mug. ¡°As for Andras, I¡¯ve met his kind before. He¡¯s just stirring up shit, serving it up on a plate, and hoping we¡¯ll eat it.¡±

    ¡°Hey, pencil dick, eat shit,¡± TJ yelled at Andras, pointing to the screen where sickly-looking ascenders had been watching their game on replay. ¡°The only fluke around here was your first win in the battlebox. Everyone can watch the replay of you cowering, looking like you were going to shit your pants right ¡®til the end. Not what I call an honorable win, but others can judge for themselves.¡±

    Brian placed an arm around TJ¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Color me impressed, that¡¯s the most insightful thing you¡¯ve said.¡±

    Tapping his temple, TJ gave a proud smile. ¡°Took both Rose¡¯s and your advice and chucked a point into intelligence.¡±

    Joe chuckled, feeling a bit of the tension ease. Andras stood there with barely disguised hatred, twisting his features.

    The weight of the titan¡¯s core on Joe¡¯s lap grounded him and his smile tightened. ¡°Run along Andras, for now the Titan Slayers are not interested in challenging you in the battlebox.¡±

    Seeing that he was losing the interest of the ascenders around him, Andras turned to face the screen replaying their match. He rushed over, his voice growing more high-pitched and whiny with each step. ¡°Don¡¯t watch that! It¡¯s badly edited! That¡¯s not what happened, trust me!¡±

    While Andras was busy trying to repair the damage to his pride and flawless image, Joe felt a tug, drawing his eyes down to the titan core in his lap. His chest tightened as the blue flame made its presence known.

    Joe stood abruptly, shaking off his unease, and handed the core to Brian. ¡°You know what to do.¡± The big guy gave him a sharp nod of acknowledgment, but his eyes were filled with concern.

    ¡°Anyone need a refill?¡± Joe asked, trying to shift the focus.

    All eyes in the group mirrored Brian¡¯s concern for him. Now wasn¡¯t the time to explain when he knew so little himself. That was going to have to change.

    Walking away to the bunks with his cup in hand, Joe called out to the blue flame in his mind. He was thankful the area was pretty much deserted, given everyone was well-rested and preparing for battlebox challenges or entry into the next floor.

    ¡°You promised me a bedtime story,¡± Joe said quietly. ¡°I¡¯ve survived long enough, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Pfft, the flame responded. ¡°A mere blink of an eye, young mortal. Compared to me, I was around at the beginning of time.¡±

    Joe snorted. ¡°I¡¯ve only your word to go on.¡±

    ¡°Many great stories in your world to this day are about me and my kind.¡± The flame flickered brighter.

    Joe blinked, making a sudden connection. ¡°A Titan¡¯s Core¡ªis that about you? Did your soul get trapped in that cursed book? And somehow you¡¯re connected to me since I died?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know A Titan¡¯s Core is not a cursed item,¡± the flame said, pulsing a brilliant blue that burned Joe¡¯s chest like heartburn. ¡°You¡¯d know if you¡¯d ever encountered one, you silly child. Don¡¯t run away with yourself thinking you¡¯re like one of those gumshoe detectives from your world or that rather entertaining Sherlock fellow. Now, you get partial credit. I am connected to the book but not in the way you think, and I don¡¯t believe your tiny mind can handle how our souls merged.¡±

    Joe sensed uncertainty. ¡°Stop making excuses. You don¡¯t know either, do you? Perhaps you lost some of your memories, but I remember many things the moment I died. Unless you tell me otherwise, I think you¡¯ve been stalling, recovering your energy, using vicious mockery like a bard.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m no dragon-humping bard! How insulting. Storytime is over for now until you apologize.¡±

    Joe sighed, shaking his head. The flame was hiding something, but whatever it was, it would have to wait. He had bigger problems to deal with¡ªlike Andras and the upcoming challenges.

 Chapter 20: Face Off

    When Joe sat back next to Brian, he was met with the same look of concern from the big guy as before. Joe brushed it off with a forced smile. ¡°Did you miss me?¡±

    Brian shook his head, twirling his vape of clarity in his hand. ¡°Been rather busy identifying options of what we can do with the core.¡±

    ¡°Sell it. Seems like a no-brainer to me,¡± TJ butted in, slamming his fist on the table. ¡°Splitting up the extra time won¡¯t get us out of the Orange Zone, but it can keep us further from the Red.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re being shortsighted,¡± Dawn said, leaning in close. ¡°It¡¯s worth much more than a hundred years. We gotta be careful who we sell it to because once they break it down, they¡¯ll have the advantage of whatever the core powder can do.¡±

    Brian nodded, his eyes narrowing as he spun the vape. ¡°If you didn¡¯t have a supremely talented alchemist with added artificer skills like me, it would make sense to cut your losses and sell it. But with fortunes smiling on you, it makes better sense for me to break it down. We have three options as I see it...¡± His words trailed off as he shifted his gaze across the room.

    Following his line of sight, Joe saw Gaia stand, her intense gaze never leaving him. She pulled her wild, indigo-tinged hair into a messy bun, revealing a bracelet on her wrist that pulsed with a strange matching light to her ring. Striding towards them, she looked like some superhero in slow motion, and Joe could almost hear a power ballad blasting in his mind with every step she took. Her aura screamed power, making her look total badass in that drab orange hoodie and cargo pants. She was a walking storm, and everyone else was caught in her path.

    Placing both hands on her hips, she loomed over their table. She raised a hand and pointed it squarely at Joe. ¡°I challenge you to a battlebox match.¡±

    A notification appeared in Joe¡¯s vision.

    [Battlebox Challenge! Ascender 98 of the Blanche Brigade challenges Ascender 84 of the Titan Slayers. Automatic one year ante will now be placed in the prize pool. Response required within ten minutes.

    Accept: Yes/No?

    Note: If the challenge is ignored or declined, a penalty of two years will automatically be withdrawn and granted to ascender 98 who initiated the challenge.]

    A ten minute timer ticked down, and Joe¡¯s ascender number dropped by one year.

    When he didn¡¯t immediately respond, Gaia¡¯s dark brows snapped together. ¡°What is the matter with you, boy? Cat got your tongue? Answer me!¡± Her tone was as caustic as her sharp green-eyed stare.

    Joe crossed his arms, meeting her gaze. ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure you out and why you haven¡¯t accepted Andras¡¯ offer. He¡¯s got much more time to bet than we do.¡±

    Her lip curled up in disgust. ¡°I¡¯m not an attention whore like him. If I valued time currency, I wouldn¡¯t still be in the Orange Zone.¡± The intensity in her words spoke of a grander plan, confusing Joe even more as to why someone would choose to remain in the Orange Zone.

    ¡°Well, what do we have that interests you so much?¡± Rose asked, her voice calm but curious.

    Gaia sighed, her expression genuinely puzzled. ¡°Look at you, struggling with mediocrity. How do all you humans wake up every day knowing you¡¯re so insignificant?¡± Her tone was filled with genuine curiosity.

    TJ snorted. ¡°Hey lady, have you taken a look in the mirror? You¡¯re looking pretty human yourself.¡±

    She waved him off like a bothersome fly. ¡°I think of it as a temporary malaise. That means illness for a mouth-breather like you.¡±

    TJ¡¯s neck reddened, contrasting the orange of his hoodie. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the no fighting rule in the safe zones, I¡¯d rip your head off and shit down your neck. If Joe doesn¡¯t accept your challenge, I will.¡±

    Gaia sneered at him like he was a small child. ¡°I am interested in one singular thing, and that is reputation¡ªsomething many ascenders have lost sight of. I was a goddess, and my immortality was stolen from me by another god. The prize of immortality is mine, a mere stepping stone to return me to my former glory. Joe, you killed the first titan, making you the one to beat in the battlebox.¡±

    Dawn, wrestling with her seething hatred, let her fiery stare get the better of her and stood facing Gaia. ¡°Joe doesn¡¯t need to waste his time on you. I think you should accept Andras¡¯ challenge because I¡¯d give Joe the two-year penalty from my own stash rather than see him fight you.¡±

    ¡°Andras is a wimp. I would not degrade myself by accepting a challenge from the likes of him. My challenge stands, Joe. Your reputation is at stake, which is far more valuable than two years, so I wouldn¡¯t listen to that useless Paladin of yours.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hands glowed, clenched into fists.

    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Joe stood. ¡°She¡¯s not worth it.¡±

    A smirk played on Gaia¡¯s lips.

    ¡°If I accept your challenge, how about we level the playing field? You know a hell of a lot more about me than I know about you. I take it you also know I¡¯m rogue class?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and if you used your brain, it¡¯d be rather obvious what class a goddess would choose.¡±

    ¡°Ex-goddess. You¡¯re mortal now,¡± Dawn said, folding her arms with a snarky grin.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me, you toe-sucking, ass-licking heel.¡±

    ¡°Listen, we¡¯ve got a lot to do here, so why don¡¯t you explain it to us like we¡¯re two-year-olds,¡± Brian said, rising to tower over her, smoke billowing from his vape.

    ¡°That shortsighted lich developed a rather mundane system, but that¡¯s liches for you. I didn¡¯t choose arcanist because they¡¯re a bunch of bookish fools that lack the innate grandeur and elegance of true magic.¡±

    Brian stood there, unfazed by her pompous monologue.

    ¡°As for Druids¡ªtree-hugging, nature-obsessed simpletons,¡± she said, giving a scathing glance to Lucky, ¡°playing with plants and animals instead of commanding the forces of the cosmos.¡±

    Staring at TJ, she droned on, ¡°Outsiders, misfits, and pariahs wandering aimlessly without purpose¡ªthey are beneath my notice. As for mages, those arrogant little mortals think they control the arcane with their flimsy spells and rituals. They have no idea what true power is, making them weak and predictable. I did consider being a priestess, but honestly, supporting others and inspiring them is a waste of my divine knowledge. I leave that drivel to Ryan¡ªhe¡¯s much better at that type of thing. I¡¯ve got better things to do than play nursemaid to a bunch of incompetents. So I think it¡¯s rather obvious that I chose sorceress because true power comes from within. It¡¯s the closest I can get to my former glory. Is that enough information for you?¡± She wore a satisfied smile that softened her harsh angular features.

    ¡°You know the saying ¡®fools rush in¡¯? Joe can defer the challenge without incurring a time penalty,¡± Brian said, exhaling more smoke that made Gaia flutter her lashes as she wafted it away.

    Joe bit back a laugh. Brian was a genius for suggesting he defer the challenge. He wouldn¡¯t lose face, and his all-important reputation would stay intact. It would also give him time to grow stronger¡ªstrong enough to beat an all-knowing goddess.

    ***

    The Battlebox challenge notification from Gaia lingered in Joe¡¯s vision like an unwelcome party guest who didn¡¯t know when to go home. He was thankful for the party chat that allowed private conversation.

    None of his team were against the idea of him deferring the challenge for the maximum time, which was six hours. Ignoring the yes or no option, he opened a submenu and chose to defer for the maximum duration.

    Gaia snorted, the sound like a disdainful hiss. ¡°Finally, I thought I was going to die of boredom while you agonized over the decision. You humans are insufferable. It would¡¯ve been wiser to accept your fate and choose yes rather than delay the inevitable.¡±

    ¡°Newsflash, the world doesn¡¯t revolve around you,¡± Joe muttered under his breath, deciding it wasn¡¯t wise to piss her off further. Even though he¡¯d only met her pal Ryan for a few moments, Joe liked him. Despite all her grandstanding, Joe wasn¡¯t ready to write Gaia off as an enemy. She was immune to Andras¡¯ charm, after all.

    ¡°Sorry to disappoint you, but we¡¯ve got other shit to do,¡± TJ said, straightening to his full height. While not as tall as Brian, TJ still looked like he could chew through steel cables.

    Gaia turned her nose up, spinning away with a flourish, her indigo strands of hair slipping free from the messy bun as she marched away.

    ¡°Bye, Gaia,¡± Rose said with a gentle wave, but the ex-goddess didn¡¯t turn around.

    ¡°She really needs to lighten up,¡± TJ said, shaking his head. ¡°Don¡¯t know why she thinks being human sucks.¡±

    Brian tapped his vape on the table, sending a small cloud of smoke swirling upwards. ¡°She¡¯s got a divine ego the size of the cosmos. Imagine the identity crisis she¡¯d have as a ratfolk.¡±

    ¡°Screw her. Ratfolk are the best,¡± Dawn said with conviction. ¡°They don¡¯t shit where they¡¯re not supposed to, don¡¯t steal, and they sure as shit don¡¯t compare.¡±

    Joe kept silent, not wanting to highlight the obvious bias in Dawn''s sweeping statement.

    ¡°For once, I agree with you,¡± TJ added, his harsh features softening with sympathy as he glanced at Lucky, who was nervously fiddling with his tail.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Joe opened the party chat, not wanting to be overheard. Mentally writing the message, he was more than happy to see his name displayed rather than his ascender number. A simple update to his interface to include a label for nicknames gave them back some of their identity in the party chat.

    Joe: Gaia isn¡¯t the worst. She dislikes Andras as much as we do, and her pal Ryan was open and friendly. We need all the allies we can get, not burn bridges unless we have to.

    Brian: I agree.

    Rose: If she is telling the truth and not delusional, having an ally with vast cosmic knowledge is wise. I got a very good feeling about Ryan; he¡¯s a kind soul. It¡¯s not an act.

    Dawn and TJ remained silent.

    Since they didn¡¯t protest, Joe decided to move on. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their trust settle on his shoulders. ¡°So I¡¯ve got less than six hours before I face her in the Battlebox. I¡¯ll make time to practice with the MadOrbz and visit Caspar the Curator if I¡¯m lacking. Before that, Brian, what are our options with the core? You mentioned a single powder that would benefit those of us with earth affinity or a more complex potion we all can benefit from.¡±

    Brian took a long drag from his vape, the vapor curling around his head like a halo. ¡°I have the skill to make complex potions. Once we find a crafting area, I have a few options with the ingredients I already have, like Tears of the Titan and those mushrooms. I can make a Neural Boost or Divine Sight potion.¡±

    The way Brian explained it, the second one sounded like some magic peyote. Joe was curious about that one as he¡¯d never tried mind-altering drugs back home.

    TJ¡¯s fingers drummed with impatience on the table. ¡°We need to bank more time and sell it rather than waste all the time it will take to make those potions. We haven¡¯t even seen nor heard of a crafting room. You saw those hollows out there on the first floor. What are they going to be like on this floor? I¡¯m all for killing them, but that¡¯s easier said than done.¡±

    ¡°Having more time is no guarantee that you won¡¯t end up GORED,¡± Brian said, shaking his head with a grim expression. ¡°In fact, I believe Green Zoners, who are the most time-rich, will be more attractive to time-sucking vampires. You saw what the Greensnare roots could do on floor one. I believe there will be other monsters in the tower with even greater reach and deadly powers.¡±

    ¡°I agree with Brian. A potion that benefits us all seems like the right path to growing stronger as a team. We can¡¯t afford any weak links in our chain.¡± Dawn planted a hand on her hip.

    ¡°That¡¯s easy for you to say.¡± TJ snapped a sharp gaze at Dawn, his frustration weighing heavy in the air. ¡°You¡¯re a changeling. You¡¯ve got many more years left in your life expectancy than us humans. If we die, it¡¯s on you.¡± He looked away, his tone losing some of its bite.

    Joe placed the Greensnare thorns on the table in front of Brian. ¡°These have armor capabilities. Says they work well with water affinity items. What do you think? Can you see more details with your skill?¡±

    Brian¡¯s eyes glowed silver as he examined the thorns, then blinked back to their usual dark brown. ¡°Rose, how would you like to elevate your staff?¡±

    She beamed, clapping her hands in delight. ¡°I¡¯d love that!¡±

    Joe¡¯s spirits lifted at her enthusiasm. ¡°Great. How about you two go find a crafting alchemy area?¡± He stood up, stretching. ¡°How do the rest of you feel about paying the Hall of Fame another visit?¡±

    They nodded, standing shoulder to shoulder.

    ¡°Excellent.¡± Joe couldn¡¯t contain his grin. ¡°Let¡¯s go, because I have questions that need answering.¡±

    ***

    The tunnels on the second floor safe zone initially seemed much the same as the first: walls pulsing with a dark red hue and webbed with tubules along the ceiling. But the further they ventured, the more Joe noticed the subtle differences. Scurrying sounds echoed through distant tunnels, shadows flickered in the gloom, and a prickling sensation on his neck told him they were being watched.

    Testing a theory, Joe spun around to find the tunnel behind them empty. But a flicker of movement on the wall caught his eye¡ªtiny, blinking eyes embedded in the fleshy walls, watching them.

    Dawn halted and turned back to join him. ¡°You feel it too?¡±

    ¡°The walls have eyes. I swear I saw them as I turned around.¡± The walls continued their rhythmic pulse, but the eyes had disappeared.

    Shrugging off his unease, Joe turned back to the others, who stood patiently waiting except for Brian, who was in deep conversation with Poppy.

    They¡¯d barely gone twenty paces when a valve door opened on the right. Brian gestured to Rose. ¡°This is us,¡± he said, looking at Joe. ¡°According to Poppy, this is where the magic happens. See you guys later. Have fun in the Hall of Fame. My advice: gather intel on the next titan we face.¡±

    ¡°Will do. Thanks. Let you know what we find through the party chat.¡± Joe grinned as a new idea sparked. ¡°Hold on!¡±

    Dawn looked at him with curiosity while TJ stared at him, as if deciding whether Joe was a mad genius or not.

    ¡°Hey, Poppy,¡± Joe called out. The little avatar popped into his vision, her eyes starry. ¡°Yip-yip, Joe! Poppy so happy to help Brian make new things.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Poppy. Since we¡¯re all working together, can we make you an honorary member of our faction so you can join our party chat?¡±

    ¡°Oh no, Joe.¡± Her ears drooped and tail dragged behind her. ¡°Poppy¡¯d love to, but it¡¯s not allowed.¡±

    Joe tapped his chin, searching for a loophole. Activating Quick Wit, he spun through several options using past life experiences in games. His eyes lit up as a solution came to him. ¡°You are assisting Brian in the crafting room, yes?¡±

    ¡°Yip, yip.¡±

    Joe had a hunch he hoped was right. ¡°Do you have a status for each ascender depending on your interactions with them, such as friendly or hostile?¡±

    ¡°Yip, Joe. For you, status is special. I created it: Best Buds.¡±

    Brian¡¯s brows raised in surprise, then turned to a look of impressed curiosity. ¡°How about me?¡±

    ¡°Status is Pals.¡±

    TJ stepped forward with keen interest. ¡°How about the rest of us?¡±

    ¡°Pals too.¡±

    Brian smoothed his goatee. ¡°Tell me, Poppy, why is Joe¡¯s status different from ours?¡±

    ¡°Joe asked me what I like.¡± Her tail swished before slowing to a sudden stop. ¡°No one ever asks me that. Some ascenders are nasty to me, others treat me like a servant. For them, I have statuses ranging from known to hostile.¡±

    ¡°It seems only right to me that you should have the ability to offer perks,¡± Joe said, glancing back at Brian who wore a grin.

    Poppy went silent. Joe wondered if she was asking the Lich, which could bring unwanted attention to them. He didn¡¯t want to break the rules but bend them a little. Would the Lich see it that way?

    She clapped her little paws and jumped up and down. ¡°Master trusts me. He busy, busy. Look, look at your party chat. See new notification.¡±

    Joe smiled as he read it.

    [Ascender 66 has gained a crafting companion.]

    [Poppy has accepted the invite to join Titan Slayer party chat as crafting companion.]

    Poppy: Hi-hi, everyone.

    They all took turns welcoming her to the group. While Joe could talk to Poppy on his own at any time, with Brian giving her access to the party chat it would be a great way to quickly share ideas. For now, Joe wasn¡¯t worried about keeping things from the Lich.

    Brian: I¡¯m thinking of making either Neural Boost or Divine Sight potions. I have 50 tageticolor mushrooms and a bottle of Titan Tears, of which I can spare a few drops for a Divine Enlightenment potion.

    Poppy: I help. Please, please, please.

    Brian: Of course, Poppy, I''d love your help.

    Poppy: I calculate. Yum, crunching numbers good. You need 10 of tageticolor mushrooms, 5 grams of core powder, and 80 milliliters distilled water to make 150 milliliters of Divine Sight potion. Make Neural Boost with leftovers.

    Joe was impressed. In the blink of an eye, she had done those calculations. It warmed his heart knowing she felt valued, given how eager she was to prove herself.

    Joe: Looks like we¡¯ll have two potions from the Titan core powder.

    Brian: Yes. We don¡¯t need another mana or healing potion. The ones I already have can be supplemented by Titan Tears. When my skills suggested a potion of Divine enlightenment, I immediately thought of Dawn. And now, with Poppy¡¯s calculations, it¡¯s possible to make both potions. Divine Sight is the one I¡¯d like to make first, but if time and resources allows, I¡¯ll make the Neural Boost potion too.

    Dawn: I won¡¯t say no to that. I only have a faint sense of the god I serve, and I¡¯ve got a long way to go to impress him.

    Once the decision was agreed upon, they made arrangements to meet up in the common room after completing their own tasks.

    As TJ and Dawn walked with him towards the Hall of Fame, Joe kept the conversation going with Poppy. ¡°Poppy, what can you tell me about this tower and why it needs so much mana to keep it alive? I swear I saw eyes in the walls watching me.¡±

    ¡°Poppy knows little of what¡¯s outside the tower. I ask and ask, but Master says no. I better focus on ascenders, make sure they behave. There are books on it now you¡¯re on floor two. You can read them.¡±

    ¡°Can you access the contents of those books?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°What about in the crafting room? Are there books there that might include how the room is powered by mana?¡± Joe tugged on the strings of hoodie, trying to minimize his annoyance with the lich.

    Poppy¡¯s voice lit with enthusiasm. ¡°Yip-yip. Lots of books on crafting, alchemy, oh, and a maintenance manual.¡±

    ¡°Can you retrieve the information on how the room is powered, any background information?

    ¡°Can-do. Checking out¡­¡±

    Silence followed.

    ¡°Is everything okay, Poppy?¡±

    A notification appeared in the party chat.

    [Poppy has added a file: Quantum Threads.

    Access? Yes/No]

    Joe didn¡¯t hesitate and selected yes. He nearly stumbled into TJ as a sheet of information appeared in front of him. TJ caught him before he fell.

    ¡°Sorry about that, got distracted.¡± Straightening, he walked on while shifting the sheet to the side where he could glance at it but still see where he was going.

    He slowed his pace to read the first paragraph aloud, loud enough for TJ and Dawn to hear.

    ¡°Background on mana-powered crafting room, including a troubleshooting guide. Quantum threads weave through the fabric of the universe. These lines converge at significant points; one of the most powerful in this region is beneath this tower, several levels below this alchemy and crafting room. The convergence of these quantum threads at the tower amplifies the mana present here, making it a nexus of immense magical energy. This energy is partially drawn from the entangled particles of multiple realities, creating a unique blend of mana from which this crafting room can draw power. This convergence provides enough energy to keep the living tower alive.¡±

    Dawn frowned. ¡°So, basically, the tower is sitting on a magical power spot, and it¡¯s sucking in energy from all over different realities to keep running?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s pretty much it,¡± Joe replied. ¡°We¡¯re dealing with some serious power here.¡±

    Dawn smiled. ¡°Hey, Poppy, what can you tell us about being GORED? And I need more details on those hollows since we¡¯re bound to come across more. I want to understand the link between being GORED and the increase in the crystalline pool of immortality. Can you help me?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s little avatar seemed to pale with fright. ¡°Poppy not like them anymore. They make ascenders murder-death-kill. Not nice. Not fair.¡±

    ¡°I understand why you¡¯d feel that way,¡± Joe said, keeping his voice soft. ¡°I know it¡¯s not nice talking about them after what they did, but anything you can tell us will help the next time we face them.¡±

    ¡°You run, Joe. Never a coward to run from hollows.¡±

    The little avatar provided information about the ejected ascenders being similar to a bank overdraft facility where there was limited time available. Once you¡¯re ejected, or GORED as TJ yelled out after his epiphany, everyone''s the same¡ªa dying soul in an uncontrollable body with the same limited amount of time before turning hollow.

    This led to questions about loopholes and the mention of the time hacker, but Poppy was forbidden to say anything about either. A warning notification had flashed, indicating misuse of the avatar and that stopped Joe¡¯s further probing.

    Joe¡¯s mind raced, trying to process all the new information. ¡°Thanks, Poppy. We¡¯ll be careful. How much further ¡®til we reach the Hall of Titans?¡±

    ¡°Now, now. Turn left.¡±

 Chapter 21: Rogue Trader

    Standing in front of the valve-like door, Joe couldn''t help but wonder aloud, ¡°Hey Poppy, how can we enter the same Titan Hall of Fame from different floors?¡±

    Poppy''s response was quick and to the point. "Can explain with big-big word: con-vergence. See party chat for more."

    TJ¡¯s expression soured as he read the explanation. ¡°So it¡¯s a nexus point, huh? All zones can access it. There¡¯s a catch though, isn¡¯t there? That Lich really is an elitist bastard.¡±

    Joe, still trying to piece it together, quickly skimmed through the info dump Poppy had dropped in the party chat. It explained how access was tiered: greens had VIP access, followed by oranges, and then reds. There was some convoluted system to keep the place from getting overcrowded. Typical elitist nonsense.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got some balls, TJ,¡± Dawn said, her eyes scanning the area like they were being watched. ¡°Don¡¯t you care that the Lich can hear you? I remember in the induction room he droned on about being called Lord blah blah something. I tuned out until he got to the good stuff about choosing a class and items.¡±

    ¡°Lich doesn¡¯t scare me,¡± TJ said, raising his voice a notch, as if daring the Lich to eavesdrop. ¡°I was eaten whole by a dragon in my last life. I bend the knee to no one, didn¡¯t do it then, sure as shit not starting now.¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but remember the Lich¡¯s warning about showing him the proper respect. Since leaving the induction, though, they hadn¡¯t received any slaps on the wrist for ignoring his pompous titles. Maybe it was all part of the twisted game to keep them guessing which threats were real and which were only hot air.

    ¡°Hey Poppy, we¡¯re ready to enter,¡± Joe said, trying to shake off the unease.

    A notification popped up:

    [There are two ascenders in the queue ahead of you. Estimated waiting time: one minute.]

    Joe sighed. The whole situation reminded him of the impatience and frustration he used to feel when waiting to buy concert tickets online. Those were the days that inspired him to create his AI Butler. Oh, how he hated the waiting game.

    ¡°While we¡¯re stuck here, I¡¯ve got a question for you, Joe.¡± TJ crossed his arms.

    Dawn, meanwhile, was tracing her fingers along the doorframe like she was looking for hidden runes or something.

    ¡°Fire away,¡± Joe said, doing his best to keep his tone casual, though his mind was already racing ahead to what awaited them.

    ¡°If I remember right, Caspar said we had trash or trade access through our user interfaces. So why the hell are we wasting time walking all the way here?¡±

    ¡°Because I¡¯m not interested in window shopping.¡± Joe tapped his nose with a grin. ¡°I want to get hands-on with these orbs. Can¡¯t do that through a screen. Plus, using Quick Wit on the next avatar will give me an edge.¡±

    TJ grinned, a wicked glint in his eye. ¡°Okay, I can get behind that. You¡¯re living up to your sneaky rogue status¡ªI like it.¡±

    The doors opened with a satisfying whoosh, cutting their conversation short and revealing the room beyond.

    Inside, the place was buzzing with other ascenders, some in green hoodies, some in orange, but none in red. They milled about, talking in hushed tones, though there didn¡¯t seem to be much in the way of camaraderie. Everyone was on edge, keeping an eye on everyone else.

    As soon as they walked in, Joe could feel the eyes on them, followed by murmurs and whispers. Activating Quick Wit, he honed in on the nearest conversation.

    A tall guy with a tight ponytail and a mean look on his face sneered. ¡°Look, it¡¯s the Titan Slayers. They look like wimps. Surprised they beat the Greensnare.¡±

    His buddy, an elf with hair so perfect it looked like he was in a shampoo commercial, gave a bored shrug. ¡°What makes you say that?¡±

    ¡°I watched the replay of them against Andras. They looked too dumb to find their way out of a paper bag. And gullible too.¡±

    The elf smirked, his eyes cold and distant. ¡°I disagree. Andras is a joke, an insult to all elves for choosing the bard class. No offense, but if it wasn¡¯t sheer madness to scale this tower solo, I¡¯d be doing it alone. Titan Slayers may have been defeated, but they didn¡¯t lose their honor.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯d rather back Andras. No honor among thieves, and he¡¯ll do whatever it takes to win the crystalline jackpot. I plan to be there when it happens.¡±

    ¡°So you can stab him in the back?¡±

    ¡°Ugh, no thanks. I¡¯m not a rogue like you. But unless you¡¯re useful to him, he¡¯ll stab you first.¡±

    Their conversation was cut short as a female changeling with punk spiked pink hair approached them. She had the kind of blue eyes that could stare down a charging bull. ¡°You two still whining? Why are we even in the same faction?¡± She threw her hands up, exasperated.

    The two guys just stared at her like lovesick puppies.

    Dawn wasn¡¯t impressed. She elbowed TJ, smirking. ¡°See? That¡¯s the kind of attitude that ruins alliances. Gotta keep your feelings in check and have each other¡¯s backs.¡±

    ¡°Feelings in check, huh?¡± TJ eyed the trio. ¡°More like keeping their dicks in their pants.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re a bunch of dickheads.¡± Dawn nodded. ¡°Glad you guys aren¡¯t sleazeballs letting hormones get the better of you. No time for sex, romance, or sappy shit in this murder tower.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Joe said, managing a weak smile, hiding his disappointment. Romance wasn¡¯t his priority here, but he liked Dawn and thought she might feel the same. Apparently, he was wrong.

    His thoughts were interrupted by frantic mutterings around the room.

    It hit him¡ªkilling the Greensnare had really put them on the map. Whether that was good or bad, he didn¡¯t know yet, but the calculating looks they were getting weren¡¯t comforting.

    Pushing down the unease, he put on his best friendly smile and greeted those who didn¡¯t seem to hate them on sight.

    Upon their approach to the hall, the Greensnare avatar was grayed out with a notification above that read: Defeated: Titan Slayers.

    Dawn¡¯s eyes widened as she read it. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting that. This is turning into some kind of game show, naming us as the ones to beat. No wonder some of these people look like they¡¯d stab us the moment our backs are turned.¡±

    ¡°Let them try.¡± TJ growled, clenching his fists. ¡°Last time a kobold bandit tried that on my homeworld, I pulled the knife out of my back with my tail and blinded the bastard by carving his eyes out.¡±

    The ascenders within earshot quickly backed away, clearly not wanting to be the next to cross TJ.

    Joe clapped his hands, rubbing them together. ¡°Let¡¯s move on. We need to learn everything we can about the next titan on this floor.¡± His gaze drifted to the largest silhouette in the distance¡ªthe unknown titan they¡¯d face on the thirteenth floor. The thought of what lay ahead made his throat tighten. With the mixed looks they were getting from other ascenders after TJ¡¯s graphic comments, he wasn¡¯t sure what was better: being seen as notorious or glorious.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    They approached the floor¡¯s titan avatar, which was still locked. Joe opened the party chat.

    Joe: Poppy, what¡¯s the status on floor two? Any ascenders ventured out yet?

    Poppy: Not supposed to tell you. Hint-hint: mana sickness in all zones, and many, many battlebox training sessions happening.

    Joe got the message¡ªfew, if any, ascenders were brave enough to explore this floor yet.

    TJ and Dawn circled the avatar, both looking grim when they rejoined Joe. He didn¡¯t need Quick Wit to guess why¡ªthe silhouette was so wide it likely meant they¡¯d be facing not one, but two titans. Worry lines creased Joe¡¯s brow, but he forced himself to relax.

    ¡°Two Titans,¡± he said in a low voice.

    TJ¡¯s grim expression slowly morphed into a menacing grin. ¡°Double the fun. Don¡¯t sweat it now, Joe. You¡¯ll crush that goddess chick in the battlebox and earn some sweet rewards.¡±

    ¡°TJ¡¯s right.¡± Dawn said, her eyes never leaving the shrouded avatar. ¡°Think of the big picture, Joe. You¡¯re QRL 12 now. By the time we reach the titan¡ªor titans¡ªwe¡¯ll have ground our way through enough tower minions and battlebox challenges to deal with whatever it throws at us.¡±

    Activating Quick Wit, Joe absorbed as much information as he could. The outline suggested the titans had wings, resembling Rodan, but he wouldn¡¯t know for sure until more details were unlocked.

    Using time currency to unlock it earlier crossed his mind¡ªlike using virtual money in those old games to get better gear. But if what Gaia said was true, reputation was important, and taking shortcuts might be viewed as cheating, especially by hardcore traditional gamers. It wasn¡¯t a risk he wanted to take this early on, even if they had the currency to spare.

    Taking some notes in his catalog, Joe made mental plans for the battle ahead. They wandered past the small crowds of ascenders who had lost interest in them and returned to their own strategies. Eventually, they reached the grand archway of the MadOrbz museum.

    This time, Caspar¡¯s sudden appearance didn¡¯t startle them like before. The place was eerily empty, and Joe guessed most ascenders were using their user interfaces to make purchases. Grinning, he stepped forward and placed his hands on the counter. ¡°Hello, Caspar. Got a question for you.¡±

    Caspar, with his solemn demeanor, brightened at the sight of them. His translucent skin glowed faintly as he straightened his stiff bow. ¡°Ah, Master Joe, how wonderful to see you again. I would be delighted to answer any questions you have.¡± There was a hint of eagerness in his tone that made Joe think the poor guy was lonely. Whatever Caspar was, he definitely thrived on company. Joe could relate¡ªbeing lonely sucked.

    ¡°May I examine your decagon?¡± Caspar asked, his orb-like eye glowing with interest. Joe nodded, handing it over.

    ¡°I need to balance out my deck,¡± Joe explained, leaning on the counter with a casual shrug. ¡°Since I can only have five in play during any one battle, I need to stay unpredictable, you know, keep them guessing. I¡¯m going up against an ex-goddess¡ªshe¡¯s a sorceress.¡±

    Caspar¡¯s eyebrow¡ªwell, where an eyebrow would be if he had one¡ªslightly arched, but he stayed quiet. Joe watched him closely, half-expecting some dramatic gasp or warning.

    Finally, the ghostly curator spoke. ¡°With your current deck, you¡¯re in trouble. Not to mention it¡¯s sheer madness¡ªa rogue going up against a sorceress with a god-tier level of knowledge empowering her. I would suggest the faction battlebox option instead. That way, you can rely on your party members to fill in the many gaps you have.¡±

    Joe shook his head, chuckling. ¡°I wish! Challenge is player versus player. I didn¡¯t make the challenge.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a pity,¡± Caspar said, his voice flat. ¡°You¡¯re at her mercy, then.¡±

    ¡°Are you saying it¡¯s impossible?¡± TJ chimed in, his tone half-joking, half-concerned.

    Caspar¡¯s face remained a blank slate. ¡°There¡¯s about a one in a million chance¡ªwith the deck you have now and the fact you¡¯re a human rogue facing a human sorceress.¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying there¡¯s a chance?¡± TJ grinned, nudging Joe. ¡°Don¡¯t be put off, man. I¡¯ve faced worse odds as a hatchling. Improve your deck, get a practice session in, and you¡¯ll be on the pig¡¯s back.¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but smile, appreciating TJ¡¯s support, even if he wasn¡¯t feeling quite as optimistic. But hey, that could change.

    ¡°What do we need to do to increase the odds in my favor?¡± Joe asked, leaning in as if Caspar was about to spill some top-secret strategy.

    ¡°Do you know her ascender number? If I knew who we were dealing with, I could better advise you. I¡¯ve met several sorceresses already,¡± Caspar said, his tone matter-of-fact.

    ¡°Gaia, is the name she goes by,¡± Joe said.

    ¡°If it matters, you wouldn¡¯t forget her,¡± TJ added with a knowing smirk.

    ¡°Yes, I do believe we¡¯ve met,¡± Caspar said, his tone dropping. ¡°Not the most pleasant of encounters, that¡¯s all I can say.¡±

    Dawn snorted. ¡°Tell me about it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t,¡± Caspar said, completely missing the sarcasm. ¡°Client confidentiality.¡±

    Joe pulled out the catalog he¡¯d bought from Caspar the last time they were there. This wasn¡¯t something he could handle online, which is why he¡¯d come in person. He flipped through the pages, something catching his eye.

    ¡°What are these?¡± he asked, his curiosity rising.

    Caspar scanned the page, his fingers tapping a frantic rhythm on the counter without making a sound¡ªa sight that was more than a little weird, even by Joe¡¯s standards. Caspar¡¯s silence dragged on, and Joe¡¯s curiosity quickly morphed into concern.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Joe asked, glancing at Dawn, who was shifting uneasily beside him like she was ready to bolt.

    ¡°These are... well, they¡¯re like a hidden auction,¡± Caspar finally said, his voice low as if he expected someone to overhear. ¡°It¡¯s technically a bit controversial and not well-known. I debated whether to make them accessible in the online catalog through your user interfaces, but this one that you hold here is an older version.¡±

    ¡°But what does it mean?¡± Dawn asked, her impatience bubbling over.

    ¡°To put it delicately, these are MadOrbz of the recently deceased.¡±

    ¡°Dead man¡¯s orbs?¡± TJ raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°We used to market them as ¡®pre-loved¡¯ items¡ªa more tasteful term.¡± Caspar¡¯s glossy eye rolled its gaze toward TJ. ¡°There was demand until one ascender complained about finding traces of blood, and their MadOrbz reverted its form to the traits of their previous owner.¡±

    Joe¡¯s mind clicked into gear. His own orbs were shaped by strong memories from his past life, something every ascender seemed to have to face. He could see why these pre-loved orbs lost popularity, especially if they had a habit of reverting to the ¡®factory settings¡¯ of the previous owner mid-battle.

    ¡°How often did that happen?¡± Joe asked, trying to gauge the risk.

    ¡°Only once or twice, when there was a particularly strong connection to the previous owner. Even with the time currency price lowered, rumors spread that they were cursed items. And after that, I couldn¡¯t even give them away.¡±

    Joe inspected the MadOrbz more closely, his eyes lighting up as he recognized that a few of them could be effective against Gaia. ¡°They¡¯re Prime tier¡­ is it possible to get this one brand-new?¡±

    ¡°No, that was what you would call a limited edition. It was seen as flawed, so no more were made. It¡¯s definitely a bargain at five years¡ªthe original owner, an elf, spent 50 years on it when purchasing it brand new. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to maintain a consistent level of mana particles to deflect the toxicity. That eventually led to his demise.¡±

    Joe grimaced. ¡°Sounds like radiation poisoning.¡±

    ¡°Shit on me.¡± TJ gasped. ¡°That¡¯s a hefty price to pay for something that ended up killing him.¡±

    ¡°Have you thought about a combo orb?¡± Caspar suggested with a slight twinkle in his otherwise stoic demeanor.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Joe closed the catalog. ¡°I¡¯ve been relying heavily on one affinity, and I know I need to be more versatile.¡±

    Caspar tapped his temple, a rare show of enthusiasm. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re thinking. You¡¯d be surprised at how many ascenders make impulse buys because they like the sound of an item or it seems impressive to their friends.¡±

    Dawn nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ve no doubt she¡¯ll rely on more than one affinity. Expect her to have a combo orb or other disruptive types¡ªno way she¡¯s going to rely solely on earth or fire knowing she¡¯s facing you, an earth-and-water-based opponent.¡±

    ¡°Good point. She¡¯ll know your moves before you do.¡± Caspar grasped an orb from the second shelf.

    Joe paled when he saw the cost. ¡°Do you have pre-loved versions of these?¡±

    Caspar looked a little disappointed, probably hoping for a bigger sale, but he gave an honest response. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to take the risk, Master Joe, may I suggest these pre-loved versions in your catalog?¡±

    Joe scanned the list, feeling more overwhelmed by the second. Having more time currency didn¡¯t make these choices any easier; in fact, it only seemed to complicate things.

    Seeing the unease growing in Joe¡¯s expression, Caspar leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a more confidential tone. ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d seriously consider a juggler MadOrbz or one of those ¡®get out of jail¡¯ MadOrbz.¡±

    TJ¡¯s eyes lit up, and a grin spread across his face as if he¡¯d just struck gold. ¡°One of those ¡®get out of jail¡¯ orbs could really save your bacon, Joe.¡±

    Joe paused, thinking about how he used to handle this stuff back on Earth. He¡¯d always take his time, letting his AI butler sift through all the options before he bought anything.

    But now? Yeah, no time for that.

    Can¡¯t sit here overthinking it¡ªI just gotta trust my gut and roll with it.

 Chapter 22: Rising Stakes

    Joe grinned as a new realization hit him. Sure, he didn¡¯t have his AI Butler anymore, but he had something better.

    Along with his handy skill, Quick Wit, he had Brian¡¯s thoughtful guidance, TJ¡¯s brute-force competence and survival instincts, Dawn¡¯s fierce determination, and Rose¡¯s sharp insight. With their combined experience, he didn¡¯t need to second-guess himself. He could rely on them to help him make the right choices.

    While Dawn and TJ gave solid advice that boiled down to ¡°know thy enemy,¡± they chatted with Caspar about balancing their own decks using Joe¡¯s catalog items.

    Joe opened the party chat in his vision. His stomach jumped at the ever-present Battlebox challenge countdown that showed less than an hour remained.

    Beside it was a tiny envelope icon with the number one inside it. Joe opened it with a mental swipe.

    Challenge Alert: From Ascender 63 Less than one hour until we meet. I like to think of my existence here as being the main character in a light novel: I Was a Goddess, Before I Got Truck¡¯und. Now I¡¯m Stuck Babysitting Mortals in a Franken-Tower¡ªtry not to embarrass yourself. Tick-tock, mortal.

    Wasn¡¯t she a higher number than that, like well over 90?

    It made Joe wonder if she¡¯d spent time currency buying new MadOrbz.

    There was no use worrying over that now. Joe grinned, sending back a snappy reply:

    Babysitting? Please. And I think that this is a more accurate title for how things will play out: Oh Great, I Got Reincarnated as a Rogue and Now I Have to School a Former Goddess in a Tower made of Monster Parts.

    He turned his attention to the party chat to check in on Rose and Brian.

    Joe: Hey guys, how¡¯s it going over there?

    Rose: I¡¯ve got a nice upgrade to my staff. I can¡¯t wait to try it out. Brian¡¯s still working on those potions. It took him some time to get used to the alchemy station and find everything he needed.

    Joe: That¡¯s excellent news! I¡¯ve got some notes on the titans we¡¯re facing on this floor.

    Brian: Titans. Plural? I don¡¯t like the sound of that. How many?

    Joe: Only two. ??

    Rose: I don¡¯t know why, but that smiley face is really reassuring.

    Brian: Please tell me you have better news to share.

    Joe: Thanks to my catalog, we¡¯ve got access to some powerful orbs at a much lower cost.

    Brian: Are they secondhand?

    Joe: Yep, but they¡¯re like new. I¡¯ll explain when I see you.

    Rose: Poor Brian got distracted and his potion bubbled over. He told me to tell you he¡¯ll chat later. Fill me in, and I¡¯ll pass it on.

    Joe: I¡¯ve got some choices to make for my deck. If I can outmaneuver Gaia using the Insult Cycle of Weakness, I¡¯ll have the upper hand. But I have no idea what her deck looks like.

    Rose: I do. I¡¯ve been sitting here pretty bored¡ªBrian doesn¡¯t talk much when he¡¯s potioning, and his vape is practically glued to his mouth. So, I figured it was a good idea to review some tutorial battles. Gaia annihilated everyone she went up against. I had time to watch replays and caught the names of some of her orbs. They¡¯re a mouthful, but there¡¯s no bluff behind her charge. Her starter orbs are as strong as their names suggest.

    Joe: That¡¯s brilliant! What can you tell me about the ones you saw?

    Rose: I¡¯ve been taking notes. I¡¯ll upload them to the party chat.

    Joe: Thanks! That¡¯ll really help me make a decision on what orbs to choose next. Talk to you later.

    Rose: Just returning the favor. Byeee!

    Joe wondered what she meant but knew he¡¯d find out soon enough.

    Using Quick Wit, he went through Rose¡¯s extensive notes and found them incredibly detailed¡ªway more than anything he would have taken. With Poppy¡¯s help, he copied the notes and placed them into his catalog for future comparison.

    From what he could see, Gaia¡¯s orbs were inspired by mythological creatures. In his world, they were the stuff of legend¡ªmade him wish he¡¯d paid more attention during classical studies.

    Gaia¡¯s three tutorial orbs were called Aodh''s Wrath, Gnomus Terrum, and Phoenix Flame ¡ªthe first being an attack orb, the second a defense orb, and the third, well, it just hovered there. She¡¯d likely have gotten at least two more orbs from Caspar to complete her battle deck.

    Shifting his gaze to the pre-used section, Joe eyed two new orbs that grabbed his attention. Undertow had caught Joe¡¯s eye, and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder if his experience might give it an edge. The moment he held it, Quagmire shifted into Grumble Guts, and Undertow morphed into Riptide Randy. The names made Joe chuckle¡ªthese orbs weren¡¯t just powerful, they had character.

    Weighing them in each hand, he scanned their stats:

    [Name: Riptide Randy.

    Elemental Affinity: Water.

    Tier: Prime Orb.

    Core-MP: 10

    Auto-MP: 15

    HP: 100/100

    Damage: 0

    Time: 30¡±

    Cool Down: Round.

    Ability: Function-Combo. Riptide Randy doesn¡¯t play nice¡ªhe¡¯s the kind of orb that yanks your opponent¡¯s favorite orb by the collar, drags it kicking and screaming back to their decagon, and then swaps it out for something weaker and less useful. Think of him as the ultimate party crasher, tossing out the VIPs and letting the nobodies take the stage.

    Weakness: Insult by Wind.]

    Joe tilted his head to the side at the sight of a new MadOrbz stat. ¡°What does Auto-MP mean?¡±

    Caspar adjusted his bow tie. ¡°Auto-guided Mana Particles activates a pre-programmed sequence such as automatic targeting and maneuvering.¡±

    ¡°So, it is like guided missiles chasing down Superman.¡± Joe¡¯s brows raised as he glanced at the next set of stats.

    [Name: Grumble Guts.

    Elemental Affinity: Earth.

    Tier: Prime Orb.

    Core-MP: 10

    HP: 100/100

    Damage: 0

    Time: 10¡±

    Cool Down: 30¡±.

    Ability: Function-Combo. Grumble Guts is the grumpy rebel of the MadOrbz world, letting you mix two affinities in your deck instead of one. He¡¯s not here to play nice¡ªhe¡¯s here to mess things up, and he¡¯s got the guts to do it.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Weakness: Insult by Fire.]

    Caspar gave Joe a wink. ¡°These MadOrbz are already fond of you. I¡¯m hopeful your new traits will be stronger than their previous owners.¡±

    Joe nodded. He believed his memories would hold their own value. If only his dad were here to laugh with him, he was certain he¡¯d agree about the MadBalls collection he had in his decagon.

    [10 years deducted for purchasing two MadOrbz.]

    His ascender number dropped, but this time Joe knew his purchase from Caspar was a steal. Using the party chat, he messaged Rose the information for the new orbs so she could see his final choices.

    Joe turned and held the orbs out, their new traits in full display.

    Upon seeing them, TJ and Dawn started discussing the merits of Joe¡¯s new orbs as if he wasn¡¯t even there.

    Dawn eyed the orbs with a critical, almost calculating gaze. ¡°Joe, with Grumble Guts and Riptide Randy, your strategy should be all about throwing Gaia off her game. Grumble Guts will drag her earth affinity through the mud¡ªliterally¡ªand Riptide Randy can drown out her fire affinity. Keep her scrambling, and she won¡¯t have time to hit back hard.¡±

    TJ snorted, leaning in with a grin. ¡°That¡¯s assuming Joe doesn¡¯t fumble it like a kobold in a trap room. He¡¯s got to nail the timing¡ªGrumble Guts needs to gut her defenses before Randy hits her where it hurts. But if he doesn¡¯t follow up with something solid, he¡¯s just tossing pebbles at a dragon.¡±

    Dawn shot him a sharp look. ¡°Come on, TJ, it¡¯s not all about brute force. Joe¡¯s got to be smart with these¡ªdisruption is key. Grumble Guts can slow her down, and Riptide Randy will wash away any momentum she¡¯s building. It¡¯s about finesse, not just hammering away.¡±

    TJ raised an eyebrow, still smirking. ¡°Finesse, huh? Sure, if Joe can pull it off. But if Randy sputters out or Grumble Guts doesn¡¯t land right, he¡¯s in for a world of hurt. These orbs have potential, but Joe¡¯s got to play them like a maestro, not like he¡¯s pawing at a squeaky toy.¡±

    Joe, standing between them, couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at their back-and-forth. They might be bickering like an old married couple, but they both had points. He appreciated their input, knowing that their battle experience made his choices all the more solid.

    If I don¡¯t play this perfectly, these orbs could backfire. But if I do¡­ this could be my edge.

    Rose chimed in through the party chat.

    Rose: Joe, those new orbs will allow you to play to your strengths¡ªdisruption, quick thinking, and exploiting weaknesses¡ªwhile keeping Gaia off-balance. I believe in you.

    Feeling more confident, Joe gripped his new orbs, a sly grin forming on his face. ¡°Alright, Gaia,¡± he said to himself, ¡°let¡¯s see you try to keep up with this.¡±

    ***

    Back in the Orange Zone common room, Brian waved off Joe¡¯s concern about his singed eyebrows and goatee, like it was no big deal. Seriously, the guy almost turned into a human torch, and all he did was shrug it off.

    ¡°It¡¯s all part of the calibration process.¡± Brian brushed the few hairs of what remained of his eyebrows. ¡°The dial turning up the heat was more sensitive than I expected. My hair had barely caught fire when Rose jumped in to save the day.¡± He gestured toward Rose, who placed a hand on her chest, looking like she was replaying the whole thing in her head.

    ¡°I just acted on instinct,¡± Rose said, a tight smile on her face. ¡°Almost drowned him in the process, but hey, the heat in that room dried him out quick enough. Honestly, though, I don¡¯t think the dial was just sensitive¡ªit felt like those reanimated parts that formed the alchemy station had a personal vendetta against Brian.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense,¡± Brian said, but the way his voice wobbled made Joe think he wasn¡¯t totally convinced.

    TJ raised a hand. ¡°Big monsters in my home world were picky eaters. Dragons loved kobolds¡ªthe fresher, the better. But goblins or ratfolk? Nah. They¡¯d stomp them into paste and the Dragons who could talk used to say ratfolk could taste like pat¨¦ for all they cared. But they didn¡¯t eat anything that didn¡¯t have a shred of regard for its own filth.¡±

    A little ratfolk, who had been minding his own business, suddenly perked up. ¡°Everyone knows dragons are species-ist and ignorant. Us ratfolk are very sanitary! On our homeworld, we invented a flushing waste receptacle, but some rich high elf stole our idea and made squillions in gold chips.¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but shake his head, thinking, This whole thing sounds like a fantasy version of Tesla and Edison. Same story, different world.

    Brian swiped his irritation away like he was shooing a fly, clearly not loving the spotlight. ¡°Enough worrying about me, I can handle myself against any grudge-bearing monster parts.¡± He casually slid a set of potions across the table toward Joe.

    Brian held an intense gaze toward Joe. ¡°When you win your battlebox challenge and put that goddess in her place, we¡¯re going to be in for some serious enlightenment. These,¡± he said, tapping the potions, ¡°will give us the edge when we grind monsters on this floor, but keep that under your hat for now.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s not wearing a hat. Don¡¯t you mean hoodie?¡± Rose teased with a playful smile.

    Brian laughed, while Dawn eyed the potion with a hunter¡¯s intensity. She didn¡¯t say a word, which only tightened the knot of worry in Joe¡¯s gut. As the others started chatting about titans, hollows, and their shiny new orbs, Joe couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off with Dawn. While Brian and Rose flipped through his catalog for bargains, Joe casually offered some seaweed to Dawn. When she politely turned it down, Joe knew something was definitely up.

    ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡± Joe asked, trying to keep things light.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean seconds, given where we are?¡± Dawn shot back, drumming her fingers on the table like she was counting down to something.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t have quite the same ring to it.¡± Joe shrugged, playing along.

    But Dawn wouldn¡¯t meet his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve got thirty minutes left, and you¡¯re sitting here like everything¡¯s peachy. Why aren¡¯t you practicing in the battlebox simulator? You can¡¯t afford to sit on your ass, or she¡¯ll turn it to grass.¡±

    Joe tapped his temple, trying to look cool and collected. ¡°Been using my Quick Wit to multitask, running through plays in my head¡ªkind of like creative visualization. Back home, competitive sports folks swore by it. Besides,¡± he gestured to the screens on the walls, the red blinking lights making it clear the rooms were all in use, ¡°there¡¯s none available right now. Bet there¡¯s plenty in the Green Zone. We should have two training sessions available to us here, but if demand¡¯s high, we¡¯re out of luck.¡±

    ¡°Fuck the system,¡± Dawn said with a low voice. ¡°Bet the folks in the Red Zone have it even worse than we do. Listen, I¡¯ve been thinking¡­¡± She crossed her arms over her chest like she was bracing for Joe¡¯s protest. ¡°I want you to hear me out before you say a word. Gaia¡¯s going to bet big¡ªshe doesn¡¯t care about time currency. If she wins, she¡¯ll clean you out, and you could end up in the Red Zone. If that happens, I¡¯m giving you enough time currency to keep you in the orange.¡±

    Joe¡¯s worry unraveled into a jumbled mess of disappointment and sadness. Thanks for the vote of confidence, he thought, but didn¡¯t voice it¡ªhe didn¡¯t want to seem ungrateful.

    ¡°That¡¯s really generous, Dawn, but¡ª¡±

    ¡°No buts. Just promise me you won¡¯t refuse, okay?¡± Her voice was small, almost like a kid asking if there were monsters under the bed.

    Monsters are everywhere, Joe thought, and they come in all shapes and sizes.

    The blue flame flickered in his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t be a chump. If she wants to throw her time away, you¡¯d be mad not to accept it.¡±

    Shut up, Joe thought.

    ¡°Okay, I promise,¡± he said, feeling sick at his own words. He was the kind of guy who kept his promises, but this one? It tasted bitter. He couldn¡¯t take her hard-earned time, but he knew Dawn wouldn¡¯t budge.

    Joe checked the countdown timer, trying to shake off the awful feeling, replacing it with a strange cocktail of dread and excitement.

    Ten minutes later, he found himself outside the challenge arena, his new friends by his side, boosting his morale.

    TJ clapped him on the back. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to see us, but we¡¯ll be cheering for you.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach did a flip when he saw Gaia approaching, now wearing a green hoodie and strutting like she was on a catwalk, her entourage trailing behind her. The Blanche Brigade had gone all out with banners and streamers, and there was Ryan, waving a tiny flag like a one-man cheer squad. He gave Joe and his friends a big wave.

    ¡°So relieved you guys survived the hollows.¡± Ryan¡¯s cheerful expression faded into something more somber. ¡°It got nasty fast, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    Dawn and TJ stood with frosty glares, clearly in full competitive mode. Ryan didn¡¯t notice, his smile as warm as Rose¡¯s. He moved to nut bump Joe¡¯s hand, drawing a sneer from Gaia.

    ¡°I¡¯m team Gaia,¡± Ryan said, waving his little flag, ¡°but I wish you well, Joe. Out there on the second floor, we should have each other¡¯s backs. I hear there are two titans, and I¡¯m a firm believer that a rising tide raises all boats.¡±

    Joe nodded, his gaze focused on Gaia. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve changed zones rather quickly.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what faction sponsorships are for.¡± Gaia fluttered her lashes like she was trying to be charming, but her eyes were cold, all business. ¡°Are you ready?¡± she asked, not really seeming to care for an answer. She placed her hand on the entrance, triggering a notification that flashed for everyone to see.

    [Challenger Antes: 2 years per ascender.]

    [Bets are open: no-limit; ¡°all-in¡± allowed.]

    [Battlebox Challenge: Complete the game-specific objective to be declared winner.]

    Joe¡¯s jaw dropped. He didn¡¯t dare look at Dawn, who tensed beside him, no doubt holding back a stream of curses. It felt like standing next to a volcano about to blow.

    Taking a calming breath, Joe''s mind raced. If I lose, it¡¯s not just the Red Zone¡ªI¡¯ll be on the brink of being GORED.

    Gaia raised her chin in defiance. ¡°You¡¯re right to worry. However, I wouldn¡¯t leave you on the edge of death without facing it myself. I stand to lose as much as you.¡±

    ¡°You think you¡¯re all honorable and shit?¡± Dawn hissed, stepping forward. ¡°He dies, you¡¯re next. You might be an ex-goddess, but don¡¯t underestimate the power of a paladin¡¯s god. I¡¯ll enlighten you and wipe your ass across the cosmos if things go south.¡±

    Joe¡¯s vision flashed red with the notification.

    [All antes accepted from each ascender. Four years have been placed in the BattleBox pool. Place your bets.]

    [Alert: Ascender 115 has placed a bet of 35 years.]

    Call or raise your bet?]

    Based on most ratfolk starting at 20 years in the Red Zone, if Joe called the bet, he¡¯d likely be close to crossing that line himself.

    The thought gnawed at him, but he knew playing it safe wasn¡¯t an option now.

    Joe took a deep breath.

    Was he really ready to take such a high risk?

 Chapter 23: Battlebox Showdown

    Having matched Gaia¡¯s bet, Joe stepped into the challenge arena with a grin, his energy fueled by the cheers of his friends behind him.

    TJ¡¯s voice cut above it all with a cheeky, ¡°For the hoard, you scaleless wonders!¡± which earned a good laugh from the group.

    Classic TJ.

    It was the last thing Joe heard before the arena morphed around him into a scene straight out of his worst nightmare.

    The ground shifted, but Gaia didn¡¯t miss a beat.

    She strolled to the center like she was walking down a catwalk, totally unfazed by the chaos beneath her feet. Even in her casual green hoodie and cargo pants, she moved with the flair of an immortal cultivator, her eyes practically glowing with tribulation fire.

    Joe almost expected her to call him "Junior" and threaten to wipe out his entire bloodline to the 8th generation, gesturing grandly to the volcanic hellscape around them like she was showing off Mount Tai.

    Gaia planted herself firmly in the center, arms raised to the sky as if she was calling down the wrath of the gods. Thick ash clouds swirled overhead, and a crack of lightning split the sky, adding to her dramatic entrance.

    Joe narrowed his eyes, spotting the glowing energy walls that marked the arena¡¯s boundary. He casually rested a hand on his decagon holder, feeling the reassuring weight on his belt.

    A patchwork of jagged rocks and bubbling lava pools that burped and gurgled like they¡¯d had one too many chili dogs covered the grounds. To increase his odds of becoming a human barbeque, fiery geysers erupted, shooting flames skyward like something straight out of a heavy metal concert. To sum it up, the challenge arena looked like Mount Doom had a baby with the squash court.

    Gaia looked way too pleased with herself as she declared, ¡°This place is perfect for the beatdown I¡¯m about to deliver,¡± She spun around, arms raised, like she was waiting for applause from an imaginary audience. ¡°Are you not entertained?¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but smirk, rolling his eyes. She was laying it on thick, and he was already over it. Apparently, his face showed it because she suddenly narrowed her eyes, her stance shifting like a cat ready to pounce.

    The blue flame made his presence known with an irritating chuckle. ¡°This will be interesting. Good luck, Chump! You¡¯ll need it.¡±

    Before Joe could reply a Challenge notification appeared.

    [All bets are in. Battle begins in five seconds.]

    [Battlebox Challenge. One Round Objective: First to knock out your opponent¡¯s MadOrbz wins. Time Remaining: 3¡¯ Prize Pool: 74 Years. Begin!]

    Joe activated Quick Wit, his mind racing as he watched Gaia¡¯s every move, her clothes shifting color from green to orange like a traffic light.

    First things first¡ªhe had seven orbs, and he figured she had more. Using a zoom focus he narrowed in on her decagon window where several orbs banged against the glass, eager to break free. From what he could tell, her container was full.

    The objective wasn¡¯t points-based or spread out over three rounds like the tutorial. With only one round to play, Joe knew he had to make every second count to eliminate her orbs.

    Relief washed over him as she summoned the first five¡ªthey looked exactly like the ones Rose had mentioned seeing in the replay of Gaia''s tutorial battle.

    Joe¡¯s plan was to summon his five orbs a split-second after hers. It was a gamble¡ªif she launched hers first, they¡¯d gain momentum in the arena before his could even get moving. That would be like the physics of a moving object crashing into a stationary one, and he didn¡¯t want his orbs to get smacked down.

    But now that he knew hers were fire affinity, he hoped to turn the elemental cycle to his advantage, using it to counter her momentum and swing the battle in his favor.

    Using Quick Wit, Joe raced through his options. First, he needed to decide which attack orb to use: Aqua Shot or Frostbite Chill? Both dealt 10 damage, but Aqua Shot had the advantage with +5 against fire affinity orbs, making it the smarter choice for this matchup.

    With his attack orb selected, Joe then focused on his disruption and defense options. Drooler, being a defense orb, was a no-brainer¡ªit provided a solid five point-damage buff to protect his other orbs in play.

    Next, he considered which disruption orb to play. Should he stick with Slimer, his reliable starter disruption orb, or try one of his newer prime-tier options? After a moment of thought, he decided to keep Slimer in play; Old Faithful had never let him down. Hydromancer, his go-to healing orb, was another essential choice, leaving him with one more slot to fill from his remaining orbs.

    He¡¯d already eliminated Frostbite Chill from his options, so now it was down to choosing between Grumble Guts and Riptide Randy.

    Joe opted for Riptide Randy¡ªsince he didn¡¯t have any earth affinity orbs to combo with Grumble Guts, it made more sense to stick with Randy for its water affinity. Grumble Guts would have to wait for another match when he could fully utilize its elemental combo potential.

    [MadOrbz are set.]

    [Activate a MadOrbz on deck.]

    Gaia¡¯s orbs spun around her like planets orbiting some celestial diva. Her smile twisted into something wicked as she flicked her wrist, sending her first fiery orb hurtling toward the center of the arena.

    Joe hesitated for a split second longer, holding back on launching his own. That¡¯s when the system threw up a warning:

    [Warning! Ascender 39. Five seconds remain until you surpass the penalty for withholding.]

    Joe swiped it away. ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know,¡±

    Then the arena¡¯s vibe shifted.

    The haunting melody of harp strings filled the air, the sound weaving through the battlefield like an eerie lullaby. Joe barely had time to process it before a disembodied raspy voice, dripping with ancient authority, whispered through the heat haze:

    ¡°Aodh¡¯s Flaming Wrath is the first to enter the arena. Let the battle begin!¡±

    The orb floated in the air like a miniature sun, circling the arena and picking up speed. As it completed its first lap, a voice boomed through the arena¡ªdeep, resonant, and dripping with divine authority. It was the kind of voice that belonged to a god who¡¯d seen the birth and death of worlds.

    "Bow to the cleansing fire of the sacred flames!"

    The heat from Aodh¡¯s Flaming Wrath was no joke¡ªit blazed so fiercely that the ground beneath it started to warp, creating a distorted mirage. The orb continued to circle, practically daring Joe to make his move.

    ¡°Aqua Shot, I choose you!¡± Joe called out, grinning as he hurled his orb into play with a flick of his wrist.

    The orb¡¯s catchphrase grew distant as it launched past the geysers. ¡°H2-Whoa¡­bet they¡¯d wish they brought a towel!¡±

    Joe¡¯s breath hitched with excitement as his sleek, blue water orb streaked toward Aodh¡¯s Flaming Wrath, glinting like a missile made of pure liquid energy. Confidence bubbled up inside him¡ªwater against fire, this was going to be a walk in the park.

    But just as Aqua Shot closed in, Aodh flared up like a freaking supernova, blasting out a blinding flash of light. With a 15 point drop in HP, Aqua Shot wobbled mid-air, looking like it just got sucker-punched, then veered off course, heading straight for the boundary.

    ¡°Not on my watch,¡± Joe said, his eyes flicking between Drooler and Hydromancer. He bit his lip, not wanting to use his healer orb so soon, but if he didn¡¯t act fast, his only attack orb would be toast. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    With a resigned sigh, he flung Hydromancer into play with the finesse of someone throwing a frisbee in the dark.

    ¡°Come on, come on¡­¡± Joe urged under his breath, his focus locked on Hydromancer as it zoomed toward Aqua Shot.

    Agonizing seconds ticked by as it closed the gap, aiming to reach Aqua Shot before it crashed into the wall. As Aqua Shot was about to slam into the boundary, Hydromancer¡¯s healing wave pulsed outward, enveloping the orb in a cool, soothing energy. The blindness lifted, and Aqua Shot steadied itself, regaining control at the last possible second.

    ¡°Phew, that was close.¡± Joe exhaled, a smirk creeping back onto his face as Aqua Shot glowed with renewed energy. Hydromancer¡¯s magic didn¡¯t only heal the blindness¡ªit patched up the massive HP drain Aodh¡¯s heat had inflicted too.

    ¡°Alright, buddy, let¡¯s give it another go!¡±

    A slow, steady rhythm pounded in the background¡ªlike a heartbeat¡ªfollowed by the unmistakable chords of some intense, ¡°Eye of the Tiger¡±-like music. Gaia smirked as her Phoenix orb hovered into view, its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the battlefield. The music built, and then, like a whisper from nowhere, the Phoenix¡¯s silken anime style voice echoed: ¡°From the ashes, I rise.¡±

    Joe tensed, knowing that Phoenix was a wild card he¡¯d have to deal with sooner or later. But right now, it didn¡¯t move. It lurked there, like a silent threat, biding its time.

    ¡°Focus,¡± Joe said, shaking off the distraction. Hydromancer flickered out of existence; the orb¡¯s fifteen second time in play gone.

    [Hydromancer MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Challenge.]

    Aqua Shot flew forward, zeroing in on Aodh¡¯s Flaming Wrath. With a powerful burst of water, it caught Aodh off guard, sending it into the boundary line. The fire orb sputtered, its fiery glow flickering out as it vanished from the battlefield.

    But before Joe could even think about celebrating, Gaia¡¯s Phoenix orb suddenly flared up, its wings glowing with an intense fire before it combusted into ash.

    Joe¡¯s stomach dropped as Aodh materialized right back on the battlefield, fully restored, while Phoenix returned to the deck with a thirty second cooldown timer.

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s back,¡± Joe said, rolling his eyes as Aodh wasted no time blinding Aqua Shot again. His own orb¡¯s five second countdown play timer ticked away.

    This time, Aqua Shot started wobbling, heading straight for the boundary wall. With Hydromancer tapped out for the battle, Joe¡¯s hands were tied. He could only watch as Aqua Shot hit the wall and got knocked out of play. His decagon vibrated as Aqua Shot banged against the glass. If only the orb¡¯s play timer had ended before Aodh had gotten to it, he¡¯d have still been able to summon it for the battle.

    [Aqua Shot MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Challenge.]

    ¡°Time to put the brakes on,¡± Joe said, swiping to deploy Slimer.

    The gooey orb slithered onto the battlefield, leaving a sticky trail behind it. ¡°Snot my problem¡­unless you want to boogie.¡±

    Aodh¡¯s once-impressive speed turned into a sluggish crawl as Slimer¡¯s goop clung to the flaming sun. Joe watched with satisfaction as Slimer guided Aodh closer to the boundary line.

    ¡°Just a little more¡­¡± Joe urged, his fingers twitching out front in an attempt to guide his orbs movement.

    The cackling voice sprung to life overhead. ¡°Eww, that had to suck slime balls for Aodh¡¯s Flaming Wrath. Disrupted with a five second debuff.¡±

    Aodh fought against the slime, but it was too late. As the debuff timer ran out, Aodh, still slowed down, slammed into the boundary wall and fizzled out of play.

    Joe straightened his posture with the small win. ¡°Even with your orb¡¯s play time restored, you couldn¡¯t outsmart me.¡±

    Gaia raised a brow, but remained calm and collected as she glanced at the deck.

    Her Phoenix orb, still in cool down mode, couldn¡¯t swoop in for a rescue. But Gaia wasn¡¯t out of tricks. She unleashed Kitsune and the arena filled with flickering flame clones.

    Slimer zoomed through the maze of Kitsune¡¯s illusions, picking up speed like a kid chasing an ice cream truck. It locked onto one illusion, its bright orange, bushy tail swishing back and forth luring him closer.

    ¡°Not that one!¡± Joe yelled, but Slimer was already in snot-flinging range, too caught up in the thrill of the chase. With a triumphant squelch, Slimer launched its snotty green goo at what it thought was the real Kitsune.

    The goo splattered straight through the illusion, which popped out of existence like a soap bubble. Slimer¡¯s cartoonish eyes nearly popped out of its gooey head as it realized the mistake, but by then, it was way too late. All that speed carried it forward, and with a comical skid, Slimer crashed into the boundary line, knocked right out of the game.

    [Slimer MadOrbz no longer summonable for the BattleBox Challenge.]

    Joe shook his head. With no attack orb and a set deck, he only had his defense and combo orb remaining.

    Joe gritted his teeth. ¡°Drooler, let¡¯s go!¡± As he hurled the orb into play, he felt a wet, slobbery sensation in his palm, like a dog giving him an enthusiastic lick. He couldn¡¯t help but grin¡ªgood thing he liked dogs. Drooler zoomed forward, dripping water all over the volcanic rocks, each drop turning into a sizzling puddle as it eagerly charged ahead.

    "Don¡¯t mind the puddle¡­it¡¯s just my way of saying hello." Drooler drawled as it barreled through the illusions, but every time the orb made contact, the illusions vanished, leaving Drooler spinning in circles.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Joe, think!¡± he said to himself, activating Quick Wit. He scanned the field, and that¡¯s when he spotted it¡ªa tiny lag in one of the Kitsune¡¯s swishy tail movements. It was barely noticeable, but there it was. The real Kitsune.

    ¡°You may be a rogue,¡± Gaia said with a smirk, ¡°but you can¡¯t out-trick a trickster.¡±

    Joe knew Gaia wasn¡¯t about to let up. As soon as Phoenix cooldown ended, she brought the orb back into play. ¡°From the ashes, I rise.¡± The winged orb hovered in waiting.

    Joe knew the risk of having two orbs out in play¡ªa greater chance that one could get knocked out and he¡¯d lose the battlebox challenge. He glanced at his defense orb, saliva splashing through each kitsune illusion as it drove towards the real orb. With ten seconds left for Drooler¡¯s play time, Joe knew this was his final shot to summon his ace. ¡°Riptide Randy, showtime!¡±

    Riptide Randy surged onto the battlefield, water swirling with undeniable force. The background music kicked in, echoing the intense beat of Numb¡ªuntil it was hijacked by a chirpy chorus. ¡°Caught in the riptide, doo doo doo doo doo!¡±

    Joe cringed, half-laughing. ¡°Way to ruin a Linkin Park classic, Randy!¡±

    Oblivious, Riptide Randy followed up with his catchphrase. ¡°Let¡¯s juggle, juggle and have a rippin¡¯ good time, doo doo doo doo doo!¡±

    The melody flowed just like that Baby Shark song his sister loved, and Joe knew it was going to be stuck in his head all day.

    With the drain on Joe¡¯s mana, the orb¡¯s automatic targeting set forth as he¡¯d commanded. Randy Riptide faked a charge at Kitsune before switching targets at the last second. Phoenix tumbled backward with a powerful wave, knocking the orb into Gaia¡¯s decagon and forcing her to randomly sub in another orb she hadn¡¯t set in her original deck.

    Gaia frowned as a weaker fire orb bobbed into orbit around her shoulders.

    The Kitsune whipped its tail into Drooler, but Joe¡¯s defense orb slopped the fox¡¯s tail back with its own wet tongue.

    [Drooler +5 damage buff against Kitsune.]

    Drooler¡¯s HP dropped only by two. Kitsune must have held a weak attack because of the required mana used to fuel its illusionary ability. As Joe shifted Randy Riptide¡¯s trajectory, Kitsune blinked out of existence and reappeared in Gaia¡¯s deck for cool down.

    Joe tensed. Even with Kitsune in cooldown, Gaia still had the upper hand. Sure, he¡¯d managed to knock Phoenix out of play, but he was down two orbs, and he could really use Frostbite Chill right about now to take out her second orb..

    Disappointed with his impulsive decision, he slammed his hand onto Hydromancer¡¯s decagon window. Maybe I should have waited to pull it out.

    The blue flame chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s what she said.¡±

    Joe groaned, ignoring the everpresent flame.

    Drooler, with its five second countdown play timer, hovered by a jagged formation while Riptide Randy swirled around the arena waiting for Joe¡¯s command.

    Gaia smirked. ¡°One-on-one.¡± A small orb launched from Gaia¡¯s deck, slowly growing in size. A writhing mass of fiery snakes twisted atop the orb like it was having a bad hair day, with no face, just an ominous Greek icon glowing at its center.

    Medusa drifted onto the battlefield, with snake hisses and eerie Greek lyre notes setting the mood, backed by slow, creepy drumbeats that made Joe¡¯s skin crawl.

    ¡°Now!¡± Joe flicked two fingers forward, and Riptide Randy surged toward Medusa, water swirling with unstoppable force. Medusa twisted and dodged, her writhing mass of fiery snakes writhing in response to Randy¡¯s every move.

    Joe grinned, catching the moment of panic in Gaia¡¯s eyes.

    From behind a rocky outcrop, Drooler shot out of hiding like a rogue, saliva splashing against volcanic rock and evaporating with a sharp sizzle as it cut off Medusa¡¯s escape. Medusa spun around, her Greek icon peeling open like a cyclops eye, locking onto Drooler.

    Drooler flickered, his form shimmering as his countdown timer hit zero. In a blink, he vanished from the arena leaving Medusa¡¯s deadly Petra Stare to hit nothing but empty space. Joe wiped the sweat from his brow as Drooler reappeared in his decagon with a slobbery grin¡ªif that timing had been off by a fraction, Drooler would have been toast.

    Medusa, left in confusion, began to back away, her lethal gaze wasted.

    ¡°No!¡± Gaia stomped her foot as her Medusa burst into dust with the collision into the boundary line.

    [Battlebox Challenge is a tie.]

    Riptide Randy and Gaia¡¯s remaining orbiting MadOrbz returned to their respective decagons.

    [Battlebox reset to Sudden Death: Capture the flag.]

    A drop of sweat trickled down Joe¡¯s back as Gaia twisted her hair into a bun. He took a sip from his water flask. The blue flame heated in his chest, but for once remained silent.

    Oh shit, something¡¯s up.

    Joe patted his decagon, like it was an old buddy. ¡°Nice job, everyone. Catch your breath¡ªlet¡¯s see what¡¯s coming next.¡± His gaze shifted to the arena while awaiting further information.

 Chapter 24: Flagged for Victory

    Joe smiled at Gaia as she approached.

    ¡°You can wipe that roguish look off your face; you¡¯re not charming anyone. Think of this as a stay of execution.¡± Despite the confidence in Gaia''s words, Joe knew she was licking her wounded pride. Reputation was everything to her, and she¡¯d been aiming for a single-round win.

    Joe didn¡¯t answer and saved his energy for what was to come. The arena shifted like some glitch in the Matrix, and Joe¡¯s grin faded as the ground rumbled, jarring every bone in his body. A mound rose before them about a football pitch away, carrying a white flag atop it, emblazoned with an ancient symbol¡ªone he¡¯d seen before¡ªa serpent eating its tail.

    ¡°Ouroboros,¡± Gaia said, her tone as self-righteous as it was indignant. Regaining her composure, a sly smile curled on her lips. ¡°A rogue against a sorceress in a race? Joe, that¡¯s like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight. I¡¯ll have that flag before you can say ¡®abracadabra.¡¯¡±

    Joe snorted, half-amused. ¡°Butter knife, huh?¡± He casually pulled out one of his twin butterfly knives, flicking it open with a smooth whirl of the blade that caught the light just right. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll have to spread the victory nice and thick.¡±

    Joe¡¯s shoulders tensed as words Sudden Death Rules flashed across his vision.

    The rules were clear: no physical fouls. If you touched your opponent¡ªintentionally or accidentally¡ªyou¡¯d be frozen on the spot, giving the other player a five-second head start.

    ¡°Give up while you can, Sanpei! You¡¯re no match for me.¡± Gaia tilted her head back, letting out one of those over-the-top anime villainess laughs. ¡°Ahahaha!¡± It was all high-pitched and theatrical, echoing through the arena. She winked at him like she¡¯d already won.

    Joe rolled his eyes as the terrain morphed into some twisted, bizarro version of Wipeout. Fire cacti sprouted up along the path, their flaming spines daring him to get too close. Lava pools bubbled ominously, practically begging for someone to misstep and take a ¡®melt the flesh off your bones¡¯ dip.

    [Alert: Ascender 78 has placed a bet of 30 years.]

    Call or raise your bet?]

    Joe¡¯s stomach tightened. If he didn¡¯t match the bet, it was game over. No, worse¡ªhe¡¯d lose everything he¡¯d already wagered, plus a precious training session. Left with no choice because he was the challengee¡ªif that¡¯s even a word, Joe thought¡ªhe accepted the terms.

    [All bets are in.]

    [Battlebox Sudden Death: One Objective¨CBe the first to capture the flag. Time Limit: 3¡¯ Prize Pool: 134 Years.]

    He tugged the cords of his hoodie, its new shade of red a stark contrast to Gaia¡¯s orange.

    ¡°And remember,¡± Gaia taunted, her voice dripping with mockery, ¡°if you die, you can respawn¡ªbut it¡¯ll cost you more than one year. Did you read the fine print during your induction? No? Too bad.¡± Something in her eyes told him this was all for show; she was playing a part, and he should play his if he wanted to woo the crowds of ascenders watching on screens or in the replays.

    Joe never had time for that shit. He wanted to win, yeah, sure, but he didn¡¯t want to play the part of some asshole competitor to win hearts or intimidate future opponents.

    Gaia mentioned sponsorship¡ªwas that why she was going all out with the anime villain trope?

    [Battle begins in five seconds.]

    He dropped that thought as soon as the countdown began. Each second dragged out as Joe¡¯s muscles coiled, ready to spring.

    The moment the timer hit zero, Gaia took off like a bullet, her speed catching Joe off guard. She was fast¡ªway faster than he¡¯d expected.

    Joe exploded into a sprint, feet pounding against the volcanic terrain. He could see Gaia pace ahead, her eyes locked on the flag. For a moment, he was right on her heels¡ªbut then, like she¡¯d been holding back, Gaia kicked into high gear and left him in the dust.

    Activating Quick Wit, he looked for the shortest route to cut her off before she reached the base of the mound. He dashed forward, gaining ground, leaping over the least prickly-looking fire cacti. It was all about the economy of movement, and his skill and light footwork helped him gain ground on the almost gravity-defying sorceress using her Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon aerial acrobatics. He hoped showing off to the ¡®crowds¡¯ would cost her.

    As she soared over a bubbling lava pool, Joe noticed the glow from Gaia¡¯s bracelet wrapped around her wrist like a living thing, pulsing with dark energy.

    Joe¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She¡¯s not just fast,he thought. She¡¯s got everything planned out.

    Then luck turned in Joe¡¯s favor.

    Gaia misjudged a jump, her foot slipping on the edge of a molten rock. Time seemed to slow down as she teetered dangerously close to the bubbling lava below.

    Joe didn¡¯t think¡ªhe reacted. With a burst of adrenaline, he lunged forward, his hand shooting out to grab her arm.

    His grip was firm, grasped in time to stop her from falling, but the moment his fingers made contact, a jolt shot through him like he¡¯d grabbed a live wire. Every muscle in his body seized, freezing him in place. He couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t even blink.A five second countdown appeared in his vision.

    The Lich¡¯s cruel laughter echoed. ¡°Oh my Poppy, what a shame! Ascender 9 engaged in a foul.¡±

    The blue flame heated Joe¡¯s chest, its voice curling through Joe¡¯s thoughts like smoke. ¡°Poppy¡¯s always been naive. But that¡¯s a dick move, Lich.¡±

    Glad to see you¡¯re on my side.

    Joe had to wonder if the blue flame had a personality transplant during his episode of silence but quickly brushed the thought  aside.

    Joe¡¯s mind raced, but his body remained rigid, locked in place by some unseen force. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, and the only thing keeping him conscious was the desperate gasping of his lungs, trying to keep him alive.

    Joe¡¯s frustration boiled over as Gaia¡¯s smirk returned, her confidence renewed. She didn¡¯t waste a second¡ªhe was frozen in place, and she was already a blur, darting toward the flag with a grace that made his heart sink. She was gaining ground fast, and Joe could do nothing but watch as she closed the distance.

    The final second ticked by; the penalty countdown ended. The paralysis lifted like a heavy blanket being ripped off. Joe gasped, his body trembling as adrenaline surged back into his veins.

    There was no time to waste. He tore a paracord from his inventory, his fingers moving with practiced precision as he swung it toward a jagged rock above. The cord caught, and with every ounce of strength he had left, Joe hauled himself up the volcanic mountain, his muscles screaming in protest.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    [Eternal Honor Scaler activated.]

    The lava below bubbled, a constant reminder of the stakes. One wrong move, one slip, and it would all be over. But Joe¡¯s mind was laser-focused. He wasn¡¯t going to let Gaia win¡ªnot when he was this close.

    Gaia was nearly at the flag, her hand outstretched, ready to claim victory. Joe reached into his inventory, his mind racing. He needed something¡ªanything¡ªto slow her down. His hand closed around a smoke pellet, and without hesitating, he hurled it ahead of him.

    The pellet exploded on impact, a thick cloud of smoke billowing out and engulfing Gaia¡¯s path. She hesitated, thrown off by the sudden obstruction, and that was all Joe needed.

    He pushed himself harder, his muscles burning, but he didn¡¯t care. The flag was right there¡ªhe could almost taste victory.

    With one final, desperate burst of strength, Joe reached the top of the mound. His fingers stretched out, brushing against the flag as Gaia emerged from the smoke, her eyes wide with disbelief.

    He didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe grabbed the flag and yanked it free from its post.

    [Battlebox Winner: Ascender 9, granted the prize pool of 135 years, now known as Ascender 144. Fifty mana particles awarded. One more step closer to the Crystalline Jackpot of immortality.]

    Joe stood there, panting, his green hoodie rising with each heave of his chest, the adrenaline slowly drained from his system. The barriers of the battlebox began to fade, and he took a deep breath, letting the realization of his victory sink in. But beneath the surface, came the creeping exhaustion of mana drain.

    The excitement of victory dulled slightly as Joe approached Gaia. Despite everything, he believed in good sportsmanship. He opened a trade window, offering her a portion of the time she¡¯d lost.

    ¡°Here,¡± he said, offering a handshake, keeping his tone steady despite the fatigue gnawing at him. ¡°You fought well. Take it.¡±

    Gaia met his gaze, her chin held high, defiance flickering in her eyes. She twisted the bracelet around her wrist, her voice cold as she replied, ¡°Keep it.¡±

    As she turned away, her hoodie shifted from orange to a deep, ominous red. Without another word, Gaia disappeared, leaving Joe standing alone at the edge of the arena, his victory feeling a little more hollow.

    Leaving the arena, Joe¡¯s body trembled slightly, the aftereffects of pushing himself too hard.

    Entering the common room, his friends rushed to greet him, Brian offering him a mana potion.

    Joe gratefully took a swig. His fatigue gave way to a twinge of regret when he noticed Ryan searching with hopeful eyes for Gaia. When he realized she wasn¡¯t there, the little flag dwarfed in his hand fell to his side.

    Joe spotted Andras, standing at the edge of a crowd of his followers. The man¡¯s sneer was unmistakable, his voice rising to rally others to his side. ¡°Join my faction, and you¡¯ll be protected from the likes of Joe.¡± Andras¡¯s posture seemed to scream ¡®don¡¯t dare resist¡¯.

    His friends'' cheers faded into the background as Joe made his way over to Ryan and the rest of the Blanche Brigade. The screens in the common room must not have shown Gaia¡¯s hoodie and pants turning red, or her being sent back to the Red Zone, so he figured he¡¯d better explain what had happened.

    Andras sneered, his voice cutting through the air with that grating tone Joe had come to associate with bad news. ¡°Looking for your girlfriend, Ryan? She¡¯s way out of your league.¡±

    Joe caught the flash in Ryan¡¯s eyes¡ªprotective, but not in that possessive way. No, this was different. It was the kind of look you give when you¡¯re not simply defending someone you care about, but someone who¡¯s practically family.

    Ryan stared at Andras, a cheerful grin forming on his face.

    But Joe knew better.

    Ryan¡¯s voice was light and friendly as he stared the dark elf down. ¡°Get your fokkin¡¯ floppy fringe out of my face, Andras,¡± he said, soft enough to almost sound polite, ¡°before I scalp you and shove it all down that piehole of yours.¡±

    Andras remained steady, unwavered by the threat.

    Ryan¡¯s eyes brightened, he continued delivering the treat like it was friendly advice, ¡°think of it as a favor to stop all that verbal diarrhea from spilling out and getting you into a world of trouble.¡±

    The blue flame¡¯s voice in Joe¡¯s head was filled with awe. ¡°Ryan is my favorite kind of person¡ªsmiling while he¡¯s loading the gun.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t reply, he was too busy wishing he could snap a photo of the shock crossing Andras¡¯s face. Dawn would probably want to frame it on a wall.

    Joe moved closer to Ryan, lowering his voice as he spoke. ¡°I tried to give the winnings back to Gaia,¡± he said, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. ¡°But she refused. Stubborn as hell.¡±

    Ryan¡¯s eyes softened with understanding, but there was a flicker of concern too. ¡°She¡¯s proud, Joe. But it¡¯s a rough spot to be in.¡±

    Joe nodded, feeling the weight of it all. ¡°That¡¯s why I offered in the first place. I didn¡¯t want to see her drop into the Red Zone. I figured maybe¡­ I don¡¯t know, maybe I could help.¡±

    Ryan looked at Joe, really looked at him, and then nodded. ¡°You did what you could. But pride¡¯s a tricky thing¡­ At least you tried, brother. Please, don¡¯t you worry about it anymore, I¡¯ll get her out of the red by telling her we can¡¯t survive in the Green Zone without her.¡±

    The way he glanced at Andras right then made Joe think that Ryan might have a black belt in being nice, but inside, there was an unblinking hurricane of vengeance brewing.

    Joe shrugged, feeling a little helpless. ¡°Yeah, but trying doesn¡¯t always count for much around here.¡±

    Ryan reached out, clapping Joe on the shoulder. ¡°It counts more than you think. Family before all else, right? Did you remember your family from your last life, Joe?¡±

    The question caught Joe off guard. He opened his mouth to reply, but Ryan was already fishing a small, worn picture out of his pocket. ¡°Oh! I haven¡¯t shown you a picture of my wife, have I? Here she is, my angel.¡±

    Ryan¡¯s face softened as he looked at the picture, like it was the only thing anchoring him to this world. ¡°I tell people she actually looks like an angel. See this? The white around her head¡ªit¡¯s like a halo.¡±

    Joe leaned in for a closer look. The picture was old, like something Botticelli might¡¯ve painted, but the woman in it wasn¡¯t human. Her face was covered with emerald green scales, beautiful in an otherworldly way that reminded Joe of that Renaissance painting he once saw called The Birth of Venus.

    Ryan smiled, a mix of pride and nostalgia flickering in his eyes as he looked at the picture of his wife. He seemed to weigh something in his mind before speaking.

    ¡°You know,¡± he began, his voice carrying a quiet strength, ¡°I was a kobold in my last life. How about you?¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°A kobold, huh? I was and am human. And you now¨CI couldn''t quite tell?¡±

    Ryan chuckled, a sound that was warm but carried a certain edge to it. ¡°Now? I¡¯m a dwarf changeling hybrid. A bit of both worlds, I guess. Strong as a dwarf, with a knack for blending in like a changeling. It¡¯s a weird mix, but it works for me.¡±

    Joe looked at him, trying to picture the kobold Ryan once was. But what stood in front of him was someone different¡ªsomeone who had been through a transformation, but who hadn¡¯t lost the core of who he was.

    ¡°Sounds like you got the best of both,¡± Joe said, not hiding the awe in his tone.

    Ryan¡¯s voice shifted, slipping into what sounded like English with a Dutch accent¡ªjust like Mr. Van Dyke, Joe¡¯s high school history teacher who always smelled like coffee and chalk dust.

    ¡°My memories are fading, but this photo¡­¡± Ryan traced the image with his thumb, ¡° it¡¯s like my anchor to my past. I grabbed it from my stuff in the induction room.¡±

    Joe¡¯s mind flashed to the photo of his sister, the one that used to be tucked safely in his wallet. He could see it like it was yesterday¡ªhis sister, before she got sick, with that cheeky grin and her tongue sticking out like she was daring the world to mess with her. She¡¯d been the center of his universe, and she knew it.

    ¡°Yeah, I still think about my kid sister¡­¡± Joe said, voicing his thoughts without realizing at first.

    ¡°Bet you loved her more than the stars,¡± Ryan said, snapping Joe back to the present.

    ¡°You bet,¡± Joe said, a smile tugging at his lips, though the memory stung.

    Ryan carefully slipped the picture back into his pocket as his Blanche Brigade crew started becoming restless. ¡°We should get moving, but let¡¯s figure out a way to meet up out on Floor Two.¡±

    Joe nodded, already running through the possibilities in his head. ¡°Brian might have some ideas. We can¡¯t join party chat or talk directly between zones¡­ yet.¡±

    Ryan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Yet?¡±

    Joe grinned, a plan forming in his mind. ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯ve got a feeling Poppy might have a clever workaround.¡±

    Before they parted ways, Joe opened a trade window and shook hands with Ryan to transfer the winnings he had tried to give to Gaia earlier. ¡°Here,¡± Joe said, pressing into Ryan¡¯s hand. ¡°Make sure she gets it. She¡¯s too stubborn to take it from me, but maybe she¡¯ll listen to you.¡±

    Nodding, Ryan gave him a sad smile.

    As Ryan and his faction turned to head back to the Green Zone, Joe caught Andras shooting Ryan a look that was anything but friendly. The smile on Andras¡¯s face was purely for show, but the eyes¡ªthose were all daggers.

    Joe¡¯s smile turned cold. If Andras thinks he¡¯s the big bad here, he¡¯s about to learn what it¡¯s like to get sent packing, Team Rocket-style¡ªstraight out of the arena.

 Chapter 25: Allies and Enemies

    Joe wanted to wipe the smug grin off Andras¡¯ face so badly it made his teeth clench. But confronting him directly, especially with their vast difference in charisma, would be a waste of time. Instead, he activated Quick Wit to eavesdrop on what the elf bard was saying before he returned to the safety of the Green Zone.

    A small crowd of about twenty had formed a line to speak with Andras. Most of them were human, with a few wide-eyed changelings, including one female who looked a bit overwhelmed.

    ¡°I know we can¡¯t afford to lose more time, and I suck in the battlebox, but do you really think he¡¯s the answer?¡± the changeling asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

    The kobold beside her frowned but didn¡¯t respond.

    ¡°We barely survived floor one. Andras¡¯ offer sounds like a guarantee, but I feel so conflicted,¡± she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper.

    The kobold shushed her, eyes darting from Andras to the others in line. ¡°Sheesh, keep your voice down, will ya? Forget the battlebox. Power¡¯s the only currency that matters, and that guy is going places. We play our cards right, so can we.¡±

    The changeling still looked doubtful. ¡°You think he¡¯ll keep his promise? There are rumors we¡¯ll face squid people, nuclear ants, gun-toting lizards, giant blobs, robo-monkeys with ray guns, crystal swords, and laser whips.¡±

    ¡°Rumors, that¡¯s all they are. You want someone to hold your hand? Find a priest. You want survival? Follow Andras¡¯ lead.¡± The kobold¡¯s scowl softened as Andras waved them forward, signaling their turn had come.

    Joe strained to listen, but Andras had some kind of sound dampening spell or device that even Quick Wit couldn¡¯t break through.

    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t that fucker stick to the Green Zone?¡± TJ muttered under his breath, before raising his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. ¡°Hey Andras, you use regular toilet paper?¡±

    Andras paused mid-conversation, his attention shifting to TJ.

    ¡°Or do you need special bullshit wipes for your mouth?¡±

    That earned TJ a few dirty looks, but it also drew a chorus of laughter. Andras scowled, clearly irritated, and after a quick handshake with the kobold, he left with his wounded ego in tow.

    Dawn tutted, looking at TJ and Joe like a disapproving mother. ¡°Quit it you two. We don¡¯t need any more attention.¡±

    Joe opened his mouth to respond, but Dawn cut him off.

    ¡°You took some crazy risks in there,¡± Dawn said, furrowing her brows and delivering a friendly punch to Joe¡¯s shoulder. He was grateful she didn¡¯t put any real force behind her gesture.

    ¡°Heck yeah!¡± TJ yelled, throwing up a rock salute. ¡°You¡¯ve got some new fans!¡±

    Joe gave TJ a half-hearted smile. New fans? He rubbed the back of his neck, debating whether he wanted to dig deeper.

    Nope!

    ¡°Yeah, I know I took some risks. Messed up using my healer orb way too soon. I could use some attack orbs, maybe an Earth affinity one to test out my new combo orb.¡±

    Brian offered him another potion. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Dawn¡¯s lecture. With your Quick Wit and rogue skills, I never doubted you¡¯d win Capture the Flag. Learn from the mistakes, but don¡¯t get stuck on them. As TJ said, you probably have tons of adoring fans now.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°There are thousands of ascenders and countless challenge matches. Why would anyone care about ours?¡±

    ¡°Oh, Joe,¡± Rose said, clasping her hands on the table, leaning in, ¡°you¡¯re so silly sometimes. Gaia¡¯s challenge was sponsored, so extra time currency was thrown into her bet. That meant your match was broadcasted on every screen in every zone. I¡¯m certain she¡¯s kicking herself for that now.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean everyone watched, right?¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Poppy? She¡¯s got the stats,¡± Brain said, taking out his vape pen.

    Joe tugged on his hoodie strings and loosened the neck, waving the air with one hand. ¡°Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here? Hey, Poppy, has anyone messed with the environmental controls?¡±

    ¡°No, no, Joe. Current temperature is 297. Only the best hybrid elemental Titan hypothalamus used in Titan Tower.¡± Poppy¡¯s Kaiju avatar marched into view, waving a little flag like Ryan¡¯s in her tiny paw. She bounced up and down, yipping, ¡°Joe win, win! Time for happy dance!¡± 8-bit guitar riffs blasted in his ears as she danced her little heart out.

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but grin.

    Looking around the common room, he noticed the number of eyes on him. If he¡¯d known taking up a challenge from an ex-goddess would attract this much attention, he might¡¯ve thought twice.

    ¡°Keep telling yourself that, chump. A part of you loves the attention, seeks validation. Not that I mind. Your other talents compensate for your many flaws.¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow. So you¡¯re not giving me the silent treatment anymore?

    ¡°No idea what you¡¯re talking about. You¡¯ve got bigger fish to fry, like asking Poppy how to open communications with other factions.¡±

    Since when do you care about that? I thought you wanted me to be a one-man army.

    ¡°Oh, I still do. But even superheroes need sidekicks. Until you¡¯re strong enough, you need all the help you can get.¡±

    Joe frowned at that, his eyes drifting back to Poppy, who was still dancing away in the corner of his vision.

    ¡°You¡¯re the best, Poppy. I couldn¡¯t have done it without you.¡±

    ¡°Poppy always happy to help, Joe,¡± she said with a cheerful bounce.

    Joe smiled, though there was a touch of unease he hid. He wondered how much of her drive to assist was only programming and how much was genuine. Could you really be friends with an AI, or was it all simply code? He remembered the AI Butler back home, how they¡¯d played chess during those sleepless nights. But here, with magic and everything else, the boundaries of AI seemed limitless.

    Feeling the weight of everyone¡¯s gaze, he gestured to his friends and led them to a quiet corner with an L-shaped booth. As they settled in, the scaly leather squeaked under them.

    Back when they were kids, he and his friends used to laugh and accuse each other of farting in the same way the booth squeaked now. The nostalgia made him smile.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get back on track,¡± Joe said, pulling up the party chat.

    Joe: Poppy, I¡¯ve got some questions about communication. Can you help?

    Poppy: Yep, yep, Joe!Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Joe: First off, how many ascenders actually watched our match live?

    Poppy: 1,734 views

    ¡°Wow!¡± Joe was taken aback. More than he¡¯d expected. He half-expected Poppy to say,

    ¡®Smash that like button and subscribe.¡¯

    Dawn snorted. ¡°Sounds like you need a PR manager.¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°Are you up for that?¡±

    TJ jumped in. ¡°I¡¯m in! I¡¯ll promote the heck out of you, make everyone¡¯s heads spin.¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°More likely to scare the hell out of them. Look, Joe, don¡¯t cater to the crowds. Focus on what¡¯s important: growing stronger, gaining more MP. We don¡¯t want to become a popularity contest.¡±

    Brian nodded slow and deliberate as if in deep thought. ¡°Respect is earned, not forced. Intimidation¡¯s easy, but respect takes time. You¡¯ll have more reliable allies if they respect you.¡±

    Dawn rolled her eyes. ¡°You might need to get those rose-tinted glasses checked.¡±

    Brian shot back a steady glare. ¡°Better than the blinkers you¡¯re wearing.¡±

    Joe sighed. ¡°We¡¯re going off track. Save the bickering for later.¡±

    Joe: Poppy, how can we open communications with other factions?¡±

    Poppy: No-no, not possible. Party chat is for party only.

    Brian: We found a workaround for you Poppy, remember?

    Poppy: Rules are rules.

    Joe: But the Lich encourages alliances. How can we manage that when we¡¯re so spread out after entering each floor? I don¡¯t want to rely on random chance to bump into friendly factions.¡±

    Brian: Is there a status indicator between factions like there is with you, Poppy? If not, it should be.

    Joe: If you give me access to your code, I could help with that.

    Poppy¡¯s avatar froze. At first, Joe thought it was a glitch. Then he saw her little tail trembling.

    Poppy: Code belongs to Lich Master. We belong to Lich.

    Joe shared uneasy glances with the others. Things were spiraling fast.

    Joe: There¡¯s gotta be a way to include faction status with other factions. Maybe the Lich Master, in his boundless generosity, will consider adding it to our interface.

    He hoped the pompous bastard was eavesdropping. Actually, he was counting on that fact.

    The chat went quiet. Poppy¡¯s avatar vanished.

    Poppy: Check your submenus on factions. All named ones are present and your status with them. Group only, no individual status due to confidentiality.

    Joe followed her instructions, scanning the list. Hundreds of factions appeared. He clicked on Blanche Brigade and read the notification.

    [If you wish to see the status of Blanche Brigade, you must set your privacy settings to public. Please note, if you click yes, your privacy setting will automatically change to public. Do you wish to proceed? Yes/No?]

    Joe explained the impact of this decision from his past life in gaming chats. ¡°If we set it to public, we¡¯ll know our status with factions that also chose to display their settings to public. Those with private settings won¡¯t see ours, but we won¡¯t see theirs either.¡±

    Dawn hesitated. TJ shrugged. Brian, lost in thought, let vapor curl from his vape pen.

    Brian finally spoke. ¡°Not thrilled about public settings, but we¡¯re one of the most well-known factions. We need to adapt.¡±

    Brian returned to the party chat.

    Brian: Poppy, what are the status types? Hostile, friendly?

    Poppy: Simple. There are four and they are Hostile, Known, Friendly, and Ally.

    Joe: What level do we need to be to form an alliance with another faction?

    Poppy: QRL 5, then you can open an alliance chat. It¡¯s separate from party chat and has restrictions. If both factions have map access, drop pin locations make it easy to find each other.

    Joe grinned. ¡°Excellent. That¡¯s what I was hoping for.¡±

    He clicked ¡°Yes¡± and a status notification for the Blanche Brigade popped up.

    [Blanche Brigade Status with Titan Slayers: Friendly]

    A box appeared, similar to social media notifications.

    [New alliance suggestion: Blanche Brigade]

    Underneath was the option to send an alliance request. [Yes/No?]

    Joe clicked ¡°Yes.¡± His heart raced a little. He rarely sent out friend requests and was surprised by the thrill.

    The notification blinked.

    [Blanche Brigade has accepted your alliance request.]

    ¡°Ryan, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,¡± Joe said, the line from his grandpa¡¯s favorite black-and-white movie running through his head.

    Brian¡¯s hand landed on Joe¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Well done. Now, we¡¯ll have more allies if we encounter those hollows on this floor.¡±

    TJ scrunched his nose. ¡°We never had anything like the Touch of Madness back home, only prolific mating cycles¡ªnow that you could smell when they were coming.¡±

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Rose tilted her head. ¡°Your olfactory senses have a rather unique specialization.¡±

    Chuckling, smoke filtered from Brian''s mouth as he spoke. ¡°TJ¡¯s something unique himself. But, what''s more important is knowing where the Touch of Madness came from. The lich announced their release, so it could be his device.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°You saw what it did with a simple skin-to-skin contact. It¡¯s a virus that spreads like a wildfire.¡± He turned to his party chat.

    Joe: What if this is something to do with the Time Hacker?

    Joe¡¯s eyes widened as Poppy was first to respond.

    Poppy: Don¡¯t go there, Joe. He dangerous.

    Dawn: Did he create the Touch of Madness?

    Poppy: ¡­ so-so scary. Lich like ascenders, not hollows.

    Joe glanced back at the group. ¡°I think we have all we need to know. Even more reason to avoid this. If the Time Hacker created the Touch of Madness, maybe he¡¯s the one stealing the time from ascenders.¡±

    TJ pounded his fist. ¡°We need to hunt this guy down and teach him how to have a good time.¡±

    ¡°I doubt that¡¯d be of any use.¡± Brian puffed a ring of smoke and stowed away his vape pen. ¡°Those hollows used to be ascenders, GORED for some time before they turned.¡±

    Scratching his jaw, Joe scanned his interface. ¡°Poppy, how much time do you actually have if you¡¯re GORED before you become a hollow?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s avatar swished its tail. ¡°If you don¡¯t get out of the red ticker, you become hollowed. Soul gone. No respawn.¡±

    Joe¡¯s brows scrunched. ¡°How long does the red countdown last?¡±

    ¡°Depends. If Touch of Madness (ToM) infection¡­time less. Beware, once touched, it might reactivate if health declines to half of what it is for your current QRL level. Then only twelve hours. If no ToM, you get twenty-four hours.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like a stress response.¡± Joe looked at Brian. ¡°The ascender''s immune system is already compromised if they ever get infected.¡±

    Brian nodded. ¡°Whether you¡¯re an elf or a ratfolk, your time is in overdraft mode¡ªthe ticker holds only so much time before you lose yourself for good.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like games I¡¯d played in the past.¡± Joe crossed his arms. ¡°If you abandoned your character they¡¯d become hollow.¡± He cleared his throat as Lucky joined their group, glancing back at Andras who continued chatting to the last few in his follower line. ¡°Any news on the floor, Lucky?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitched. ¡°I¡¯m leaving the zone now. Andras agreed I don¡¯t need to worry about battleboxes.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± Joe glanced back at Andras who gestured toward Lucky.

    ¡°Erhm,¡± Lucky twiddled his thumbs.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, we know you¡¯re knowledgeable with nature. Might be your best skill.¡±

    Lucky nodded, his whiskers twitching.

    ¡°Well, if you need anything, let us know.¡± Joe patted Lucky¡¯s back. ¡°We don¡¯t all have the luxury of the Green Zone yet, so we¡¯re going to keep practicing in case another battlebox challenge arises.¡±

    TJ stepped back, his hand on the sheath of his weapon. ¡°If I¡¯m not using my BK machete, then you can find me taking on that AI in the battlebox simulator.¡±

    ¡°You did good, Joe. Best to you all in the practice sessions.¡± Lucky glanced at Andras who beckoned to him, his foot tapping to an unheard beat. ¡°Got to head back out.¡±

    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re expecting two titans on this floor. So watch out.¡± Joe gave Lucky a nod as he turned, scampering towards Andras who guided him toward the interlocking zone exchange.

    Joe glanced back at his friends. ¡°Lucky¡¯s trying to tell us something, but whatever Andras is holding over him, it¡¯s enough to keep him from giving the information.¡±

    Dawn shook her head, displaying an empty smile as though she were thinking about her own past. ¡°Even if you cornered a rat, he¡¯d be so gullible to hop into the hand of the enemy for a piece of cheese.¡±

    Running her hand through her blond hair, Rose glanced around the room. ¡°Not many are willing to protect the ratfolk. Look around. There¡¯s not many ratfolk here in the Orange Zone and there sure weren¡¯t any in the Green Zone when I arrived.¡±

    Joe¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°Then we have to be one of the few ascenders to encourage the Red Zone to rise with us. Keep Andras from warping their minds. We¡¯re in this together, even if we reach the top of this tower.¡±

 Chapter 26: A Godéˆ¥æªš Truth

    Joe stared at the ceiling of his bunk, restless. Kicking off the crisp white sheet, he swung his legs over the edge. Soft snores echoed around him, mingling with the occasional mumble from ascenders dreaming away. He grabbed the ladder and slid down, his thick-soled boots making a soft thud that rippled through the floor like he was walking on a giant, wobbly jelly.

    Slipping out of the bunk room, Joe entered the common area, which was as silent as a crypt. A few insomniac ascenders lounged in wrinkly orange bean bags that looked like giant furry ballsacks. They stared at the embedded screens with a mix of fascination and despair. Some gave Joe a lazy wave, others just nodded. A few didn¡¯t bother turning around.

    Rose sat alone, eyes shut tight in deep meditation.

    As soon as Joe plopped down opposite her, her eyes flew open, and a grin spread across her face. ¡°Joe, what¡¯s got you up so soon? It¡¯s barely been an hour since you bunked.¡±

    ¡°Too much caffeine.¡± Joe lied, rubbing his temples. ¡°Mind¡¯s still running. What about you?¡±

    ¡°Meditating on what worked and what didn¡¯t in my battle box simulation,¡± Rose said, her voice serious. ¡°Not planning any challenges, just gearing up in case someone throws one my way.¡±

    Joe winced at the thought of another challenge but knew he¡¯d be a fool not to practice again soon. ¡°Everyone else asleep?¡±

    ¡°Dawn and TJ are snoring their little hearts out,¡± Rose said, her smile warming. ¡°Bless them.¡±

    Brian sauntered over and dropped into a seat next to Joe. ¡°They went all out in their simulations,¡± he said, taking a drag from his vape. ¡°Got some sweet upgrades to their MadOrbz but drained their mana. I gave them potions, but to boost mana capacity, they need rest. Bunks act like a supercharger from now on. Even an hour can do wonders.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That¡¯s a major shift from the last floor.¡±

    Rose nodded. ¡°It¡¯s hard to know what to trust. The Lich¡¯s promises aren¡¯t worth much.¡±

    Brian agreed. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t take anything he says at face value. The system¡¯s as crooked as his teeth.¡±

    Joe tensed, half-expecting the Lich to appear on the dark screen beside them.

    When that didn¡¯t happen his thoughts turned to Poppy. She was part of the system, but the Lich claimed she was modeled on a Titan, capable of growth and learning. If John Connor could teach a Terminator not to kill, maybe Poppy could turn out to be a decent ally.

    Joe stared at his reflection in the black screen, lost in thought, while Rose gushed about something.

    Suddenly, the screen flickered.

    Joe¡¯s senses sharpened. An image flashed on the screen for less than a heartbeat. All the screens around him showed the same thing: a cartoonish mask with a grin so wide it looked like it might swallow the room. Its big, round eyes seemed ready to pop out and chase him. A creepy, mechanical chuckle played softly in the background, like someone had left a broken toy in the corner.

    Jagged green text appeared: ¡°What the Hell kind of clown are you?¡±

    Other ascenders shifted in discomfort, their faces twitching, but they seemed oblivious to the image. Was it a subliminal message he caught thanks to his Quick Wit skill?

    ¡°The crying-on-the-inside kind, I guess,¡± Joe said dreamily, as if under a spell.

    The screen went dark, and Joe blinked, his senses returning. Rose and Brian were looking at him oddly, sharing a worried glance.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear a single word I said, did you?¡± Rose asked, her tone suggesting she expected a shame-faced ¡®yes.¡¯

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys see that?¡±

    They shrugged. ¡°See what?¡±

    ¡°The creepy clown mask on the screen.¡± Joe¡¯s finger wobbled as he pointed at the now-blank display.

    ¡°You really need more sleep, Joe,¡± Rose said, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re so tired you¡¯re starting to hallucinate.¡±

    Was that it? Was he micro-sleeping? He glanced around. Everyone else had returned to their activities, looking perfectly normal. Subliminal message or tricks from his tired brain?

    A party message popped up snapping him out of that thought.

    Rose: Maybe this will get your attention, Joe. First off, a BIG THANK YOU for those Blood Rose Thorns. You were right about them working with water affinity items. I won¡¯t take out my staff in the common room; we¡¯ve got enough attention already. But here are the stats:

    [Gnarled Gravenwood

    Tier: Advanced

    Details: The more you use it, the more its thorns react, either growing longer to stab your enemies or shrinking back when you¡¯re on defense. But be warned: this twisted stick has a mind of its own and isn¡¯t afraid to take control if you¡¯re too timid.

    Joe also took his time studying her updated stats, feeling pretty satisfied with the results. Rose had leveled up on the last floor and put her flex points into her highest stat, intelligence, which meant her water-based spells had leveled up too.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to test it out when we grind monsters on the floor,¡± Rose said with a grin.

    ¡°Is it any good against hollows? Will it protect you from a Touch of Madness?¡± Dawn¡¯s voice cut through with a sour tone.

    Brian shot her a look but then moved aside, giving her space to sit down. ¡°My mother always said if you don¡¯t have something nice to say, don¡¯t say anything at all.¡±

    Dawn gave him a grumpy look. ¡°Not a morning person.¡±

    Joe had no idea what time it was in the tower¡ªno windows, only the constant reminder that the outside world was dangerous and filled with mana that could kill them in an instant. Reaching the top of the tower was supposed to build enough resistance to survive, but it could all be fear-mongering. He wasn''t sure.

    Hopping to his feet, he eyed the food and drink machines. He grabbed a packet of seaweed and set it in front of Dawn. ¡°Here¡¯s a snack to tide you over. Anyone hungry or thirsty, it¡¯s on me.¡± As if summoned by the talk of food, TJ spoke up from behind him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have a spiced egg scramble and Citrus Blast,¡± he mumbled, rubbing his bleary eyes, yawning, and stretching like he¡¯d barely rolled out of bed.

    ¡°Sweet stats on your staff, Rose,¡± TJ said, earning a scowl from Dawn as he perked up faster than she did.

    Rose smiled. ¡°I bet you¡¯ve got some upgrades with your BK machete too.¡±

    ¡°Damn right I have. Once the tank is full, we¡¯re outta here. Monster grind time on floor two, let¡¯s make it happen.¡±

    ¡°I love your enthusiasm,¡± Brian said, pulling out a potion bottle and holding it as carefully as if it were a newborn. ¡°We¡¯re not quite ready yet for the twin titans ruling the roost on this floor. Check the party chat and make sure you¡¯ve all read the information Joe provided from the Hall of Titans. Burn those stats into your memory.¡±

    He looked down at the potion bottle and then directly at Joe. ¡°I mentioned this potion before¡­¡±

    Joe nodded. It was the one that would enlighten them and give them an edge on this floor.

    ¡°I¡¯d rather you and Dawn not eat and drink too much. Our young paladin has yet to meet the god she serves, and I believe this potion will help speed that up.¡±

    ¡°I serve no one,¡± Dawn said, crossing her arms.

    ¡°Then why did you choose to be a paladin?¡± Joe asked.

    Dawn shot him a look that said, none of your business.

    Joe turned to TJ. ¡°Do you mind getting the food and drinks order?¡±

    TJ rubbed his hands together and stood up. Rose slipped out of the booth, giving Dawn a side-eye like she might bite. ¡°I¡¯ll help.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s shoulders slumped, a hint of guilt in her gaze, but her heart seemed to lock away any apology.

    ¡°Look,¡± Joe said, leaning forward. ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to talk about it, Dawn, but we don¡¯t have the luxury of time. What¡¯s eating you?¡±

    She looked away and let out a heavy sigh, some of the tension leaving with it. ¡°Had a bad dream is all. My whole life, the one before this¡­ well, let¡¯s just say there¡¯s not much I miss about it.¡±

    Joe kept sympathy out of his voice, knowing Dawn would hate that and clam up. ¡°You were a ratfolk in your last life,¡± he said. ¡°They didn¡¯t exist in my world except in books and games, but they sure got the raw end of the stick.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t say I understand what you went through,¡± Brian said, moving the potion closer to Dawn. ¡°I grew up with parents who loved me, but I had different interests from other dwarves my age. I had no friends, and in our kingdom, dwarves were seen as second-class citizens. We fought tooth and nail for everything we had.¡±

    Joe nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve all walked different paths, come from different worlds. Our experiences shape us, but they don¡¯t define us. We still have our differences, but there¡¯s more that unites us than divides us.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Dawn looked at Joe and Brian, then drifted to where Rose and TJ were filling trays with delicious-smelling snacks and drinks. ¡°I¡¯ve never talked about my past to anyone. I know I¡¯ve been a giant pain in the ass at times.¡±

    ¡°At times?¡± Brian said with a grin, showing he was joking.

    Dawn shook her head and laughed. ¡°Good point. Don¡¯t take anything I¡¯ve said before to mean I think less of any of you. I wasn¡¯t physically strong in my last life, so my words were my protective armor¡ªarmor I didn¡¯t lose.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Dawn.¡± Joe flicked the cord of his hoodie to the side. ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain anything. We get it. We get you.¡±

    The way she smiled at him hinted that a crack in her armor was forming. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Joe smiled too.¡°Hey, even though we¡¯ve all taken different paths to get here doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t walk this one together.¡±

    ¡°Now you¡¯re getting all sappy on me,¡± Dawn teased, rolling her eyes, but there was warmth in her voice.

    Brian shook his head. ¡°Before you two start bickering like an old married couple and the others come back with the food, I¡¯m going to ask you to hold off on eating for a little while.¡±

    Dawn scowled. ¡°Forget what I said. You come between me and my food, we¡¯re finished.¡±

    Brian raised a hand. ¡°You can eat all you like after you¡¯ve been enlightened.¡± He tapped the potion before her, bringing her attention to it. ¡°You don¡¯t want to meet the god you don¡¯t want to serve on a full stomach. It will ruin your digestion. Besides, it¡¯ll dull the effects.¡±

    ¡°And me?¡± Joe asked, eyeing the tray of food greedily as it was returned, his stomach growling.

    ¡°Yes. You¡¯ll be joining Dawn as a guide and a witness. With your skills, if she gets lost, you¡¯ll be able to bring her back.¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°I¡¯m also very diplomatic and know all about paladin contracts with gods.¡±

    Brian smiled. ¡°How lucky Dawn is. She¡¯ll have a rogue, divine lawyer, and negotiator as a traveling companion all in one.¡±

    After eating¡ªor in Joe¡¯s and Dawn¡¯s case, watching the others eat while they sipped on water¡ªBrian led them out of the common room and down a long hallway filled with whispering and scuttling sounds.

    ¡°Hope your boots are laced tight,¡± Brian said with a smile. ¡°I heard there are boot-stealing critters about.¡± He stopped in front of a valve-like door and handed them the potion. ¡°This is as far as I can go.¡±

    Dawn and Joe exchanged confused looks.

    ¡°Think of this as a temple,¡± Brian said. ¡°I belong in the alchemy lab crafting area. I¡¯m not a paladin like Dawn, so I will not be granted entry.¡±

    ¡°What about me? I¡¯m a rogue,.¡± Joe tugged a loose string on his hoodie.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Brian said. ¡°If you read everything about your class, you know rogues can go anywhere they please.¡±

    ¡°Shall we?¡± Joe chuckled, offering Dawn his arm. ¡°Think of it as a divine date, and I¡¯m your plus one.¡±

    Dawn raised a brow. ¡°You better be joking, especially if the god I¡¯m about to meet is the jealous type.¡±

    Joe¡¯s grin faltered. ¡°I¡¯ll be the perfect gentleman.¡±

    With a wave to Brian, they stepped forward, and the door opened like flower petals, a gust of air pulling them across the threshold.

    Dawn frowned. ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s hotter than a demon¡¯s crotch in here.¡±

    Joe pinched his nose. ¡°Smells like it too.¡±

    Looking around, the dim interior resembled the inside of a wooden cabin with a central fire. The flames were a swirling green eldritch hue, and symbols covered the walls. Soft cushions like giant lily pads surrounded the stone fire.

    They sat down, and Joe was amazed at how quickly all the tension left his body. His bones felt like jelly as a sense of calm washed over him. He must¡¯ve been wearing a goofy smile because Dawn laughed.

    ¡°This is better than a spa treatment back in my world, or smoking a joint for arthritis,¡± she said, rubbing her wrist absentmindedly.

    Joe agreed. He couldn¡¯t remember feeling so amazing, like he didn¡¯t have a care in the world. The clink of the glass potion in Dawn¡¯s hand grounded him. The liquid inside was a swirling mix of colors, a galaxy of stars contained in a single vial.

    Dawn¡¯s fingers tightened around the potion, her knuckles white as she turned the lid.

    ¡°Are you ready for this?¡± Joe asked, understanding the weight of the question.

    ¡°As ready as I¡¯ll ever be.¡± She placed a hand on Joe¡¯s and gripped it tight. ¡°You¡¯ve heard the saying, ¡®What happens in Rome stays in Rome.¡¯ These are my memories, this is my vision.¡±

    She didn¡¯t need to say more; Joe understood. ¡°Anything I see, I take to the grave.¡±

    ¡°If you win the jackpot of immortality, you¡¯ll have to hold onto it for longer than that.¡±

    Her belief and confidence in him left him feeling something he wasn¡¯t quite sure about. She trusted him to guard her past life and the secrets it held.

    They both drank. The liquid was bitter and earthy, leaving an aftertaste like he¡¯d licked the inside of an old cigar box. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the room began to melt away. It wasn¡¯t simply melting¡ªit was a dizzying swirl of colors and sounds, and suddenly they were somewhere else.

    Dawn¡¯s screams grabbed Joe¡¯s attention. Her eyes were wide with panic as she took in her surroundings. He held her, and she buried her head in his chest.

    ¡°No, no, no, don¡¯t make me go back here,¡± she whispered, her voice cracking and tears streaking down her face. Her hands shook uncontrollably.

    Joe wasn¡¯t sure what to do, so he held her close, repeating, ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯ll be okay.¡± As he provided comfort, he looked around and thought, Where are we?

    Dawn gulped, her voice barely more than a whisper. ¡°Hell.¡±

    In this vision, Dawn seemed to be privy to his thoughts. They were in a large hall where the walls were lined with dark wood, and the air was thick with oppressive silence. They weren¡¯t alone; the clack of heels echoed sharply across the polished floor, a sound that hammered like nails in a coffin.

    Dawn let go of Joe and straightened, her eyes fixed on a woman dressed in a religious habit, looking like a magpie in black and white. Her presence was like a thief of joy and hope.

    ¡°Hey, you,¡± Dawn said.

    The woman kept walking.

    Dawn took off after her, grasping her shoulder to get her attention, but her hand passed through like the woman was a ghost. They followed her through double doors, bypassing children on their hands and knees. When they looked up, their faces were hollow, and their eyes were sunken.

    Joe wanted to reach out to comfort them, but they belonged to the past, and he was only a witness. His heart ached, wondering how any enlightenment could come from such a hellish place. His heart pounded, warring with sadness and grief over Dawn¡¯s memory. ¡°This is like a prison,¡± he said in a low voice.

    ¡°Close, it¡¯s an industrial school,¡± Dawn said.

    As they continued down the hall, they passed a man in dark robes carrying a ring of keys like it was a weapon. A woman at the entrance to a door on the right cowered from him, her face marked with welts as her body trembled in fear.

    ¡°You are not a man of God,¡± Dawn yelled, but her voice fell on deaf ears as the man drifted past like a ghost. ¡°Fucking monster.¡±

    The woman standing in the entrance to a side room backed away, and Joe saw rows of cots¡ªsterile white industrial ones with mattresses. But it was the infants crying that struck him hard.

    Nearby were potties with straps attached. Joe pushed down the rising bile and caught up with Dawn, who was still following the nun.

    The nun entered a room where a young woman with red hair twisted into a messy bun, freckled nose, and pale skin stood. She looked like she hadn¡¯t seen much sunlight, her dress reminiscent of scullery maids from old movies. Wrapping her hands in her starched apron, she curtsied to the nun, looking willow-thin but with eyes of steel. Dawn held the same look in her eyes.

    ¡°Are they ready?¡± the nun asked, her voice clipped.

    She grabbed the basket from the young woman so quickly it nearly yanked her off her feet. Knitted socks spilled out.

    ¡°For the army,¡± Dawn said through clenched teeth. Her fingers twitched like she wanted to pick up the socks and help the girl she once was. Dawn stared at the nun with seething hatred who raised her hand, striking the girl as she crouched low, picking up the socks.

    Joe closed his eyes, not sure how much more he could take.

    In a flash, the world around Joe melted away, leaving only a towering silhouette bathed in blinding light. As it stepped out of the smoky haze, the figure grew smaller and smaller until Joe could finally see it clearly. He blinked in disbelief¡ªa capybara, with thinning white locks draped over red and gold robes, stood before him. Joe couldn¡¯t help but think, Well, if you''re a god, I guess you can rock any look you want¡ªeven a capybara in dungeon master robes.

    ¡°How nice it is to finally meet you,¡± the god said, with a gap-toothed grin.. ¡°Do you know the power of your name?¡±

    ¡°What are you, a guinea pig?¡± Dawn didn¡¯t seem fazed by the divine aura that left Joe sweating and trembling. Maybe it was a paladin thing.

    The god¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°No, a large rodent you earthlings call a capybara inspired my form. A god¡¯s not supposed to have favorites but gosh darn it, they¡¯re too cute, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    Dawn stood defiant, her chin jutting out. ¡°You could be inspired by a cartoon squirrel called Steven for all I care. I prefer rats, so don¡¯t pretend like we¡¯re already long-lost buddies and cut the divine bullshit. You think I¡¯m going to serve you? Think again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a no-bullshit kind of god, Dawn, but you already knew that deep down. I didn¡¯t summon you; I knew you would come find me in your own time. I have to wonder, though, after the abuse you suffered at the hands of the church in your past life, why did you choose to become a paladin?¡± The god¡¯s gaze was piercing, like he already knew the answer but wanted to hear it from her.

    ¡°You want the truth?¡± Dawn¡¯s voice was steady, her fists clenched like she was ready to punch a hole through the universe.

    The god couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°Ah, turning the tables on me, huh? I like that! I knew you were sharp. So, do I want the truth? Absolutely. You picked your class, signed an oath with me¡ªso we¡¯re in this together. Go ahead, lay it on me¡ªno judgment.¡±

    Dawn arched a brow.

    The god chuckled, leaning in a bit closer, his tone playful. ¡°Well, maybe a little judgment¡ªI¡¯m a god, after all.¡±

    ¡°In the world I came from, no one faced justice for their crimes,¡± she began, her voice steady but laced with the kind of bitterness that only comes from deep, old wounds. ¡°I didn¡¯t believe in a god because how could something divine be so cruel?¡±

    The god looked at her as if she were a little naive about the nature of deities, but he let her continue.

    ¡°If this isn¡¯t some drug-induced fever dream and you really are real, then you know everything¡ªall gods that exist, including ones from my world.¡± Dawn¡¯s tone grew more intense with each word.

    The god replied, his voice steady, holding authority. "I am real, Dawn, this isn¡¯t a dream.¡± He glanced at Joe as if expecting him to nod in agreement.

    Joe stood there, a silent witness.

    ¡°But what does it matter if a god exists in the world you¡¯ve left behind?" The god waved a dismissive hand, his robes billowing.

    Dawn thumped her chest, her voice fierce. "I haven¡¯t left it behind! And I never will! It¡¯s the bleeding core of me and always will be until..."

    The god leaned in, his brows arching with curiosity.

    Dawn locked eyes with him, her voice a blade of resolve. "Until justice is served. As a Paladin, I¡¯ll swear a new oath. When I ascend that tower, I will leave here¡ªwhether you help me or not. I¡¯ll find the god from my world, and I¡¯ll bring justice crashing down on him like a hammer."

    Joe swallowed hard, biting back the tension as he stood next to Dawn, half expecting the god to smite her.

    The god erupted in laughter, clutching his plump belly. ¡°Well, paladin class suits you. A flair for drama is good.¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°You think this is funny? I¡¯m dead serious.¡±

    Joe stepped in, trying to smooth things over. ¡°Uh, Dawn, maybe we should hear him out?¡±

    ¡°You should listen to your friend, Dawn. I am Nerus the god of rodents. I¡¯m the butt end of every joke in divine circles. I recognize a diamond in the rough when I see one. In a world full of gods, it¡¯s the ones like us who change things. I¡¯d be honored to have a paladin like you by my side.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s fierce expression softened, eyes narrowing as she studied the Nerus¡¯ face, searching for any hint of deceit. After a moment, she gave a small nod. ¡°Alright, but we¡¯re equals¡ªno sidekick business.¡±

    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± Nerus said in a casual tone as if he was being particularly generous.

    Joe exhaled, relieved. Well, that went better than expected. This capybara god might actually be cool, he was smart enough to pick Dawn.

 Chapter 27: Forged in Fire

    At first, Joe had no idea where the hell he was. When he opened his eyes, the whole world decided to take a spin, and nausea hit him like a freight train. As his senses slowly returned, he realized he was sprawled out on something soft. He patted it, trying to figure out what it was.

    ¡°Welcome back, sleepyhead,¡± a familiar voice said.

    ¡°Dawn? Where are¡­¡± His words came out thick, like his mouth was stuffed with cotton, and as he tried to sit up, it felt like someone had driven a hot poker straight through his skull.

    ¡°Take it easy,¡± she said with a calm that only made him more nervous. ¡°It¡¯ll take a minute to adjust.¡±

    Joe froze. He wasn¡¯t lying on a pillow. He was lying on Dawn. He scrambled back so fast he nearly fell over, hands flying up in a frantic apology.

    ¡°Sorry! I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± His brain short-circuited, and his words got caught in a loop, stumbling over each other.

    Dawn¡¯s grin was easy, her laughter even easier. ¡°The look on your face right now!¡± she teased, a lightness in her tone that somehow made him feel a little less like a complete idiot. ¡°Most guys where I¡¯m from wouldn¡¯t even think to apologize.¡±

    Like the truck that had hit him in his last life, memories of Dawn¡¯s shared vision crashed through him. He looked at her again, noticing for the first time how pale she was, the green glow from the fire¡¯s dying embers making her look almost ghostly. She glanced at the potion bottle lying on its side, and for a moment, Joe thought she might spin it and say ¡°truth or dare,¡± but instead, she placed a hand on his.

    Her smile turned grim. ¡°Thanks for visiting my personal hell with me. Be honest, I need you to tell me what I saw was real¡ªthat gods are real, and I¡¯ve made an oath with one by choosing the Paladin class.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all real,¡± Joe said, placing his other hand on hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. ¡°And I promise, however long I live, I¡¯ll never tell a soul about what you went through. If you want people to believe you were a ratfolk in your last life, that¡¯s fine by me.¡±

    She tensed at the lie. ¡°I was tired of living well before I died and came here. I thought this place would be a clean slate. I didn¡¯t want anything to do with humans since there were so few I could trust in my old life, so I put up an extra barrier to protect myself. You understand?¡±

    She pulled her hand free from his and looked away.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re all wearing masks, Dawn,¡± Joe said softly. ¡°And even if you hadn¡¯t shared everything with me, I¡¯d still understand. Sharing truths is deeply personal¡ªit¡¯s a privilege, not a right. Some people back home never understood that. They had no boundaries. Why did you choose ratfolk, by the way?¡±

    Dawn slowly rose to her feet and extended a hand to him. He took it, feeling the softness of the lily pad cushions beneath him lose their soothing effect as he stood.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you sometime,¡± she said. ¡°But right now, I don¡¯t know about you, but I feel like I just smoked ten doobies and have the biggest case of munchies ever.¡±

    Nodding, Joe let out a slow breath, putting one wobbly foot in front of the other, and linked arms with Dawn as they left the log cabin¡¯s sacred space behind. Outside, gravity felt heavier, making his whole body ache with every movement. ¡°I feel like an old man.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got no idea.¡± Dawn winced as she stretched out her legs, which were clearly as cramped as his. ¡°Let¡¯s walk it off. By the time we reach the common room, you¡¯ll feel less stiff.¡± She sounded like she knew exactly what she was talking about, which made Joe wonder again just how old she had been when she died. Not that it mattered¡ªage is just a number, Joe, he could hear his granddad say.

    Following that memory came the cheeky voice of his little sister. ¡°And feet are just stinky!¡±

    Her voice faded, but the memory didn¡¯t, and it left him feeling happy and sad as they entered the common room. The others were waiting, keeping seats for them in the much busier eating area.

    Joe didn¡¯t waste any time, piling his plate with food and grabbing a tall glass of lemonade. One sip, and he knew¡ªit was the most refreshing drink he¡¯d had in ages. Dawn? looked downright content as she leaned back in her chair after devouring the last of her sandwich with stringy fries, washing it down with a steaming cup of herbal tea.

    Around them, Joe noticed other ascenders huddled in their factions, going over strategies for entering the second floor.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°While you were off on your little enlightenment trip with that god,¡± Rose said, leaning in with a knowing look, ¡°the other factions caught wind of the alliance status notifications because the Lich made an announcement. Not only that, some have already entered the floor. Word is, it¡¯s like a monster gold rush out there. You¡¯d think time crystals were growing on trees, the way some of them are yelling out their alliance notifications.¡±

    TJ looked like he had ants in his pants, his eyebrow twitching, fingers drumming a steady rhythm on the table. ¡°I¡¯ve run all the simulations I can. I don¡¯t know about you guys, but it¡¯s time to get real.¡±

    Brian raised a finger, his expression serious. ¡°You have read the stats on the twin Titans, right?¡±

    ¡°Eh¡­¡± TJ looked guilty for half a second before he broke into a grin. ¡°Course I did, bro, just messing with you. Do I get brownie points for reading your updates in the party chat files about our plans to team up with Ryan¡¯s Blanche Brigade? Oh, and heads up, Dawn¡ªmake sure you¡¯ve got your map ready and drop a pin to our location as soon as we land on the floor.¡±

    ¡°I know, TJ,¡± Dawn said in a smooth voice. ¡°I read it, and I¡¯m happy to see you did too.¡±

    TJ leaned back, arms crossed. ¡°No point in letting the extra point I put into intelligence go to waste. Use it or lose it, I always say.¡±

    Brian flashed an approving smile. ¡°Glad to see all my hard work isn¡¯t going to waste. Not to toot my own horn, but I think I¡¯ve done a pretty decent job summarizing all that dense reading material and making it easy for you guys to digest.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got way more patience than me.¡± TJ grinned. ¡°I¡¯m all about action-adventure stuff¡ªanything else just makes my eyes bleed. But that info you put in there from Lucky was really useful.¡±

    ¡°Wait, when was Lucky here?¡± Joe asked, realizing he¡¯d last seen him following Andras out of the Orange Zone.

    Brian¡¯s expression turned apologetic. ¡°Sorry, I was supposed to pass on his full congratulations for your win. He wanted to say more to you in person, but Andras sent him off to scout ahead on floor two while he was busy spouting propaganda here in the Orange Zone.¡±

    ¡°Wish there was something we could do to convince Lucky to join us,¡± TJ said, shaking his head. ¡°Poor bastard doesn¡¯t realize that fucking asshole Andras is using him.¡±

    Joe¡¯s shoulders tensed with the same frustration. He wanted to help Lucky, but he knew his charisma stats weren¡¯t enough to sway him right now. Maybe putting more points into charisma would help, especially since his rogue class was well-aligned with that trait. Being human also gave him a racial boost in charisma, so he figured he¡¯d bring it up with Ryan, who as a priest, should have a good level of charisma too.

    But for now, Joe focused on what he could do¡ªgathering more information. ¡°I haven¡¯t had a chance to read everything in the party chat updates. Can you give me the summary of the summary?¡± He tried not to sound too cheeky, and Brian¡¯s eyes lit up.

    ¡°Of course!¡± Brian said with eagerness. ¡°I talked to Lucky before he left. He wasn¡¯t supposed to tell anyone, but he¡¯s already been out on floor two¡ªthis was his second scouting mission. In a nutshell, the main environmental hazards are seismic activity¡ªrockslides, earthquakes, and chasms filled with lava, that sort of thing.¡± He paused to let that sink in, then continued. ¡°So far, he¡¯s seen evidence of pyro wyrms, herons, lava slugs, grubs, and mites. There are also small, dense patches of ferns and cinder pines, plus some kind of fungi called puffballs.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, herons are the worst.¡± Dawn sighed. ¡°I used to have a pond with lots of happy frogs and terrapins until they showed up.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like they¡¯re the assholes of the bird world,¡± TJ said, not holding back. ¡°Our verdant harriers were beautiful, but they¡¯d pluck your eyes out and swallow them like grapes.¡±

    Joe took a moment to process the information. Floor two sounded like a prehistoric nightmare¡ªactive volcanoes, rivers of molten lava, and toxic gases. ¡°Do we have anything to protect us from poisons or treat us if we get exposed?¡±

    ¡°Way ahead of you,¡± Brian said, beaming with pride. ¡°I took some time to dilute the Titan Tears with sodium and dry them inside hard molds.¡± He handed each of them a small tin.

    When Joe opened his, it reminded him of the tins of mints his granddad used to love. It made him a little sad that he couldn¡¯t remember the name, but the image of a fisherman with a pipe and a white beard next to a boat came to mind. He also remembered the first time he¡¯d tried one, despite his granddad¡¯s warning about the strong flavor. That was the first and last time¡ªhis mouth burned like it was on fire. Only an ice cream treat afterward had helped ease the pain.

    ¡°Man, these stink.¡± TJ snapped his tin shut, his eyes watering.

    ¡°Think of them as extra-strength healing against poison.¡± The ting of the tin echoed as Brian set his on the table. ¡°Use them sparingly¡ªI haven¡¯t had a chance to test them for side effects.¡±

    That made Joe think of those ads back home that rattled off side effects faster than you could process.

    ¡°It¡¯s better than dying from poisoning, I guess.¡± Rose raised an eyebrow.

    Brian nodded. ¡°And if you notice any side effects, I¡¯ve set up a section in the party chat where you can report them.¡±

    Joe stifled a grin. Brian was always the careful one, like a human version of a bug report form.

    They ran through their party formation again, making sure everyone knew where to stand when the monsters showed up. A quick health and mana check later, and they were testing the alliance chat linked to the Blanche Brigade. It reminded Joe of his granddad¡¯s old pager¡ªclunky, limited, and yet weirdly reliable. He mentally tapped out a message: See you soon. Watch for the pin drop ¡ª TS.

    A moment later, Nick¡ªBlanche Brigade¡¯s map guy¡ªpinged back with a simple: Stay safe.

    That little exchange sent a surge of excitement through Joe as they finally stepped through the entrance to floor two. The heat hit them like a brick wall.

 Chapter 28: Into the Fire

    Joe¡¯s stomach did a quick flip, and for a second, he thought he might hurl. TJ, on the other hand, was practically glowing, claiming the heat made him feel like he was back home. Brian, though, looked like he was about to pass out¡ªpoor guy even though he was human he just wasn¡¯t built for the heat after spending so much time in the cool, damp caverns of the Ironside Mountain.

    ¡°I¡¯m all for warm welcomes, but this is a bit much.¡± Brian groaned, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

    Rose to the rescue¡ªshe sprayed them all with a refreshing mist from her staff.

    The sweat immediately evaporated from Joe¡¯s skin, and even his hoodie and cargo pants felt less suffocating. He glanced down at his clothes, half-expecting them to turn to ash, but instead, they stayed comfortably cool.

    A notification popped up in his vison:

    [Cooling Mist has given your garments heat resistance for 24 hours.]

    ¡°Feels like we just walked into an active volcano that¡¯s about to spew its guts all over us,¡± TJ said, helping Brian back to his feet. ¡°One of the many dangers I don¡¯t miss from back home.¡±

    Joe caught TJ¡¯s gaze and followed it toward the horizon. The ground was practically carpeted in thick ferns, reaching up to their knees and rustling in a way that made his skin crawl.

    ¡°See that clearing over there, under those pine trees?¡± TJ pointed. ¡°Let¡¯s head there and drop a pin for our location. Not being able to see my feet is giving me the creeps.¡±

    Dawn grinned and stepped forward, activating her fire ability. Her hand glowed bright, and suddenly, she¡¯d turned into a human flamethrower, blazing with flickering fire. The air shimmered with heat so intense it pricked Joe¡¯s skin. He turned away, shielding his eyes. When he looked back, Dawn cursed under her breath¡ªthe ferns were completely untouched.

    ¡°Makes sense. Everything¡¯s probably heat-resistant here,¡± Joe said, already imagining what other tricks this floor had up its sleeve.

    Rose decided to give it a go with her water whip. She spun her staff, building momentum, and lashed out with a crackling, blue-tinted whip of water. It sliced through the air with a satisfying sizzle but barely made a dent in the stubborn foliage.

    ¡°Okay, BK, let¡¯s pretend I¡¯ve been reincarnated as a farmer.¡± TJ took the lead, stepping forward with his machete. ¡°It¡¯s harvest time!¡± His blade flashed as it cut through the stalks, sending fern fronds flying. Joe ducked as a few stray pieces whizzed past his head.

    ¡°I¡¯ll lead the way,¡± TJ said, already hacking a path toward the clearing. He glanced over his shoulder at Brian. ¡°Get your crossbow ready. Keep an eye on the skies¡ªthere¡¯s no telling what else is out here.¡±

    Brian nodded, loading his crossbow with practiced ease. TJ had barely cleared a few more paces when an unholy shriek erupted from the ferns. Joe¡¯s Quick Wit kicked in, and he snapped his head around, trying to pinpoint the source. About ten paces to the left, the ferns were violently shaking. Straining his ears, Joe also heard a low rumble shaking the ground beneath them. The sound was subtle but growing louder by the second.

    Whatever it was, it wasn¡¯t happy.

    The ferns in front of them suddenly erupted in a frenzy of brown and gray fur, propelled by whipping tails, gnashing fangs, and beady red eyes.

    Joe barely had time to react as one of the critters¡ªa freaking maniac mouse the size of a puppy¡ªlatched onto his shoulder. He grabbed it by the scruff and tossed it aside, batting away others before they could claw at his face.

    Maniac mice? Joe thought, shaking off the disbelief. Of course. We¡¯re in a magical tower¡ªanything¡¯s possible, including swarms of murder mice.

    It took him a minute to realize the swarms were completely ignoring Dawn, who stood there like she was in a trance. Everyone else looked like they were doing some sort of breakdance, frantically trying to rid themselves of the furry menace swarming up their legs and arms.

    TJ, ever the tank, was barreling forward, hacking and flexing like he was in the middle of a workout, blood streaming from his neck where one last ankle biter was chowing down.

    Rose wasn¡¯t messing around. With a flick of her staff, she blasted a powerful jet of water straight into the swarm of Cinder Mice, giving us all a much-needed breather. The torrent hit those furry little ankle-biters like a fire hose, sending them tumbling back in a spray of water and squeaks. But these critters weren¡¯t the type to take a hint¡ªthey kept coming, more pissed off than ever.

    Seeing that her first shot only bought them a few seconds, Rose doubled down. She closed her eyes for a heartbeat, drawing on her mana until her staff lit up like a freaking blue supernova. Then, with all the grace of a warrior princess, she swung that staff in a wide arc. A massive wave, practically a mini-tsunami, surged forward and slammed into the mice with a satisfying crash.

    They went flying, limbs flailing as they were swept up in the chaos. The roars turned into panicked yelps as the wave washed them away, leaving a soggy, splashing mess in its wake.

    TJ spun around with such speed, the mouse dangling from his ear by its teeth flew off and bounced off Dawn¡¯s head. She caught it, and instead of squashing it, she gently placed it on the ground.

    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to toast that fucker, Dawn, not make friends with it!¡± TJ yelled, putting all his fury into hacking and slashing the path through the ferns, taking a few mice with him.

    The mice roared¡ªan unsettling, tiny lion-like sound¡ªthat caught Joe off guard. He batted away another critter. ¡°We could really use your help, Dawn! Please!¡±

    Joe¡¯s voice snapped Dawn out of her trance. She blinked, her eyes focusing as if she were seeing the chaos around her for the first time. With a deep breath, she started chanting under her breath, the words flowing out like a prayer. ¡°Nerus, hear my call.¡±

    As she spoke, Joe felt a shift in the air. It was subtle at first, like the calm before a storm, but then it spread, a wave of something almost tangible.

    Whatever skill she had activated, it was working. The area around them seemed to soften, the tension easing as the once-ferocious mice started to calm down, their attacks slowing.

    ¡°Trying to take down those mice with a crossbow bolt was about as useful as trying to bail out a sinking ship with a teaspoon.¡± Brian shook his head. He stowed his crossbow and joined TJ in stomping down the stubborn ferns, helping to clear a path forward.

    Rose, ever alert with her staff glowing a soft blue, nodded. ¡°All I did was buy us some time. Those little bastards are not only fast but apparently strong swimmers too.¡±

    An eerie stillness settled over the forest, only to be shattered by piercing cries from above. Bird calls¡ªor maybe something worse, like monsters the size of pterodactyls made Joe shudder. He quickened his pace to catch up to TJ and Brian. Dawn jogged alongside him, her skin shimmering with a thin layer of steam, her flaming locks streaming behind her.

    ¡°That was pretty awesome, what you did back there.¡± Joe winced as his boot crunched something unpleasant underfoot.

    ¡°If you say so,¡± Dawn said with a shrug, still looking a little shaken. ¡°Sorry I was late to the fight. I got some notifications from my god pal Neremus. Turns out all I had to do was invoke his name in a prayer to activate my Whisper of the Undergrowth skill.¡±

    By the time they reached the clearing in the shade of the Cinder Pines, TJ had stowed his machete and was looking at Dawn like he was seeing her for the first time. ¡°What the hell was that? And also, it was fucking awesome! First time I¡¯ve met a beast-tamer paladin.¡±

    Brian nodded, clearly impressed. ¡°Back in my world, rangers and druids¡ªespecially elves¡ªcould do that. Some could command entire armies of beasts; they were practically revered.¡±

    ¡°I know the type.¡± TJ grunted, his eyes widened with excitement. ¡°Elves in my world were arrogant, cocky bastards. Everyone thought the sun shone out of their asses, but it was really the kobolds who kept everything in balance. Some lucky fire kobolds could shoot flames out of their mouths¡ªand their asses.¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°Neat! Who wouldn¡¯t love to see that?¡± Rose beamed. ¡°Not all elves are assholes, but some of them are definitely overrated. If there¡¯s a contest, ass-flaming kobolds win hands down.¡±

    Joe chuckled, but his smile faded as he noticed movement through the ferns.

    Brian¡¯s brows knitted in confusion as a stream of critters darted through the foliage and disappeared into a hollow at the base of the nearest pine tree.

    Joe stepped back, making sure they weren¡¯t blocking the path. All eyes fell on Dawn.

    ¡°I should explain,¡± Dawn said, a bit sheepish. ¡°We entered the Little Fang Clan¡¯s territory, and they¡¯re at war with the Nine Claw Mouse Clan. Interesting fact I just learned: mice have different numbers of toes on their front and back feet.¡±

    ¡°I just learned something too,¡± TJ said, turning his head sideways to show off long, trailing claw marks on his jaw. The wounds looked nasty, though not as nasty as his shredded ear. ¡°Those fuckers have claws on those paws, and they¡¯re as sharp as their teeth.¡±

    Brian handed TJ a healing potion, which he gratefully downed in one long gulp. The wounds sealed fast, and Brian smiled. ¡°Can¡¯t have those critters ruining your good looks.¡±

    TJ blinked, as if surprised and suspicious about whether Brian was messing with him or actually giving a compliment. He slowly nodded, then turned to Dawn. ¡°Before the next thing notices us, or we end up in the middle of another mouse war, drop a pin on the map and tell us where we are¡ªand where the big boss is squatting.¡±

    Joe scanned their surroundings, eyes on the stormy skies lit with lightning cracks while ash clouds gathered like dark specters atop the fiery volcanoes.

    When Dawn turned her attention back to the group, she wore a strained smile. ¡°You want the good news or the¡­ not-so-good news?¡±

    ¡°Good news,¡± they replied in low, unified voices.

    ¡°The good news is the alliance chat works,¡± she said, though her smile faded as she grabbed a fern stalk and drew a rough map in the dirt. ¡°Over vast, vast distances. The not-so-good news is that we¡¯re here.¡± She pointed to a spot by her feet, then took a step to her right and drew another dot. ¡°And Ryan¡¯s Blanche Brigade is over here, about two miles due south of us at the tar pits.¡±

    TJ looked grim. ¡°At top speed in this terrain, that¡¯s gonna take them a day, if not more, to reach us.¡±

    Joe scratched his jaw, tugging on his hoodie cord and resisting the urge to chew it. ¡°Looks like we need a change of plan. Does your map tell where the Titan¡ªor Titans¡ªare on this floor, and if so, how far are we?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I got a map skill level-up and can see more,¡± Dawn said, driving the stalk into the center of her makeshift map. ¡°The Titans are here¡ªit looks like a volcano, and an active one at that. We¡¯re on one side of it, and they¡¯re on the other side, but a good deal further away.¡±

    ¡°Okay, so we rendezvous at the volcano¡ªtwo birds with one stone,¡± Joe said, checking the alliance chat. He sent a message with the volcano coordinates Dawn had given him: Meet you there.

    Chances were, since they were closer, Joe and his team would make it there first. They could spend some time assessing the threat level while waiting for Ryan and his group. Who knows, they might even find a shortcut.

    A short message came back: Great plan. Our ranger Nick¡¯s taming some raptors we can ride. See you there.

    Joe grinned, picturing Ryan and his dino cavalry. He had no idea what weapons the priest had, if any, but with a sorceress who was an ex-goddess and a ranger on his side not to mention Ryan who was a man who could bring out the best in everyone. Together they¡¯d take the two Titans down.

    Dawn tempered his excitement. ¡°We better move fast. Lucky wasn¡¯t exaggerating when he said it¡¯s like a gold rush. Adventure teams are getting more aggressive¡ªthere are several clusters much closer than we are, and they¡¯re closing in fast.¡±

    Not wasting more time, they jogged in the direction of the volcano and continued using the alliance chat to share information on creatures encounters and loot.

    If Ryan hadn¡¯t sent an urgent warning about lava mites, Joe might have lost Brian. They had a close one when the ground erupted, spurting lava that bubbled and popped, releasing flying mites the size of tarantulas. Flaming death skulls patterned on their backs, the mites flew at the biggest target¡ªBrian. His mouth opened in shock, speechless, his ranged weapon was useless again.

    Rose leapt into the air, spinning her staff and unleashing a torrent that hit the flaming assault. The mites turned ashen and fell from the skies, cracking the dry, rocky ground where they landed with a thud.

    ¡°Winning combination¡ªcooling mist has leveled up.¡± Rose admired the new blue hue of her staff. ¡°My regular attack would have done nothing, so together, Biting Chill mixed with the power of Water Whip cooled them so fast they turned to petrified stone.¡±

    ¡°Clever¡ªeveryone knows stones can¡¯t fly.¡± TJ smirked.

    After collecting the loot left behind¡ªsome cool-looking lava stones¡ªthey increased their pace, with Dawn checking her map to avoid other ascenders.

    ¡°Curious,¡± Brian posed between breaths, ¡°can your map detect hollows?¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°That would be nice and convenient, so we could avoid them like the plague they are.¡±

    They continued their grind as the smoky haze-covered sun moved across the sky. However time worked on floor two, Joe didn¡¯t want to be fighting monsters come nightfall.

    Several notifications appeared of party factions attempting¡ªand failing¡ªto kill the Titans. It was a mixed blessing for Joe and his team. Stopping by a nearby grove of pine trees, he scouted for any dangerous creatures. Seeing no threats, they rested against some trees for a short break to drink and eat.

    TJ took out what looked like green soldiers, but on closer inspection, they were kobold warrior totems. He flung them out, and they formed a protective array. ¡°These totems will prevent any monsters from crossing into the array. They¡¯re charged by the mana in the environment, so they only cost me five MP to activate.¡±

    The silence didn¡¯t mask their thankfulness for the breather after running at a fast pace for so long.

    Brian pulled out a blanket and laid it down like a picnic setup. It looked like a worn tartan, and the tiredness and aches from running seemed to leach from Joe¡¯s bones the moment he sat down. It kind of reminded him of the lily pads they¡¯d sat on in that log cabin temple for Dawn¡¯s first meet-and-greet with her god.

    Brian explained it was a crafted item he chose during induction. ¡°Can¡¯t work if I¡¯m too tired to think straight. It should help stave off mana drain. If you check your MP, it¡¯ll slowly tick up the longer you sit.¡± The more of them that sat on the blanket, the longer it would take, but it wasn¡¯t long before Joe was back to full MP, and TJ¡¯s scars had healed to barely visible white lines.

    Joe looked around, wishing they could kick back, relax, and share stories like good friends should. But the sight of the volcano spurred them on. He stood and started packing up, watching TJ gather his totems when something caught Joe¡¯s eye. He zoomed in with Quick Wit on a dark, moving object in the distance.

    A flash of lightning tore up the sky, lighting up the ground and revealing a hollow, shuffling from one leg to the other. Beyond the gray-looking dwarf was a group of orange and red zoners. One of them spotted the hollow and shrieked, drawing its attention. The hollow¡¯s loping gait morphed into a murderous sprint as it launched itself at the group.

    Dawn touched Joe¡¯s shoulder. ¡°What do you see? The map shows a group of red and orange zoners sprawling.¡±

    ¡°Hollows.¡± The word made them repulse and shiver as it escaped Joe¡¯s mouth. More hollows joined the first, crawling out from the rocky terrain as if a hell mouth had opened and spewed them out. Touch of Madness icons appeared before Joe could say another word¡ªthe entire party had been wiped out in an instant. His heart raced as he scrambled to the alliance chat and sent an urgent message to Ryan: Beware hollows¡ªactive.

    He didn¡¯t hear anything back for the longest time, and eventually all he received was an okay.

    They moved on, Joe sporadically using Quick Wit to avoid mana drain. Even with his extra capacity, he had to be cautious not to over-rely on any one skill.

    In All-Star sports matches, it¡¯s the all-rounders who are unpredictable that win the game, Joe thought to himself. Same would be true with the magic All-Stars¡ªthat¡¯s why he liked the rogue class. You might not be the strongest or the most powerful spellcaster, but with stealth and charisma, he considered himself a magic all-rounder.

    A strong breeze carried the scent of sulfur as the air thickened with the clouds of ash.

    ¡°Smells like somebody cracked a rotten egg with their ass.¡± TJ inhaled a deep breath.

    Brian clamped a cloth over his nose. ¡°Stop complaining.¡±

    ¡°Not complaining, bro¡ªsmells like my grandma¡¯s cooking. She made the best damn rotten egg omelets you¡¯ve ever tasted.¡±

    TJ almost bumped into Joe, who had abruptly stopped. There was something in the air besides the foul ash that wasn¡¯t quite right¡ªit was like a beating heart. With a Quick Wit tilt of his ear, Joe listened. It was faint, but in the distance, like a sonic boom, it bristled the pine needles, shaking them from the nearby trees.

    Moments later, a notification appeared:

    [Merry Miners Brotherhood have failed to kill the titan.]

    Narrowing his eyes at the horizon, Joe started to put two and two together. He could almost make out the top of the volcano¡ªit looked flat, like a crater.

    ¡°What do you see?¡± TJ squinted in his direction.

    ¡°Think I know why there are two Titans¡ªthey¡¯re not twins.¡±

    Brian rubbed his goatee. ¡°How do you know?¡±

    ¡°From what I can see, there¡¯s a huge pterodactyl-like bird sitting on a nest, and a smaller one circling the area.¡±

    Rose shook her head. ¡°A monster mama is probably the most dangerous thing we¡¯ll face. Anything protecting its brood would die to protect them and unleash hell on anyone trying to get near.¡±

    They stood in grim silence as the flying pterodactyl-like monster flapped its wings. That¡¯s when Joe saw the rush of airwaves and heard the sonic boom ripple outward, rushing past the lone trees and vegetation. He shook his head. The sonic boom had to cover a radius of about five miles.

    ¡°Running straight in there is going to get us killed,¡± Brian said, pointing to the bones of monsters scattered across the ground. Shimmering loot lay there unclaimed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s wait for Ryan and his team.¡± Joe¡¯s heart raced as the titan rounded the peak of the volcano. ¡°If we all get wiped out, we won¡¯t get another shot before someone else kills the titan and unlocks the next floor.¡±

 Chapter 29: Titanéˆ¥æªš Wrath

    Wow! That was fast, Joe thought, watching the dust clouds rise as five figures charged toward them. It was like something straight out of a cool western movie, if cowboys rode dinosaurs instead of horses. The dust swirled and danced in the air as the riders got closer, the ground beneath Joe''s feet rumbling with each thunderous step.

    In a heartbeat, Ryan and his team were upon them, some pulling their mounts to a jerky halt that sent waves of dust rolling towards Joe and his crew.

    ¡°Now that¡¯s the way to travel,¡± Dawn said, admiring the dino steeds with a grin.

    ¡°Yeah It¡¯s the most badass thing I¡¯ve seen out here.¡± TJ grinned, offering a hand to the kobold perched atop a mean-looking velociraptor with purple feathers that gave it a punk rock mohawk.

    ¡°You should¡¯ve seen Nick talk them out of making us the main course at dinner. Now that was badass, which is kind of a funny compliment if you think about it. Anyway, I¡¯m rambling.¡± She tightened the knot in her orange hoodie around her waist, adjusted the straps of her white tank top, and then took TJ¡¯s hand.

    Landing lightly on her feet, she flashed a brilliant smile. ¡°I¡¯m Luna, and you are?¡±

    ¡°Terrorclaw Jadescale Mufiforanlexo of the Deep Defenders and Revered Brotherhood clan from the Kingdoms of Cragmire,¡± TJ said, straightening up with his chest puffed out.

    Seeing her confusion, he quickly added, ¡°But my friends call me TJ.¡±

    She glanced down at her feet, then back up at TJ, exhaling with a smile that said, ¡®thank the gods.¡¯

    Nearby, a much smaller, stockier kobold with thick red hair and a well-groomed beard braided to perfection struggled to dismount. He groaned, ¡°Little help here, before I fall to my death.¡±

    Brian stepped in with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve got you. And might I add, that¡¯s one mighty fine beard you¡¯ve got there.¡±

    The little kobold ran his fingers over the twisted braid, clearly pleased. ¡°Thanks! Gotta work with what you¡¯ve got, right? I¡¯ve got some carnauba wax in my inventory that could help tame that ratty goatee of yours.¡± He stretched out his arms like a kid waiting to be picked up. ¡°Lord Lich, in his infinite wisdom, put me in the body of a dwarf-kobold hybrid. Must¡¯ve been a real piece of work in my last life.¡±

    Brian, looking a little self-conscious, gave his goatee a quick, awkward stroke before he lifted the hybrid off the raptor and set him on the ground. ¡°Appreciate the offer¡ªmight take you up on that when we¡¯re not gearing up for a boss battle.¡±

    ¡°Wow, didn¡¯t know they had giants here,¡± the hybrid said, looking up at Brian, starry-eyed like he was his new best friend. ¡°Thanks for the lift. Now I know who to call when I need something from the top shelf in the crafting room. I¡¯m Grizzle, by the way.¡±

    Brian chuckled. ¡°Not a giant, just a tall human who used to be a dwarf. Name¡¯s Brian. Nice to meet you. I think we can help each other out¡ªI¡¯m an alchemist, and,¡± he raised his big hands, ¡°working with those delicate vials can be tricky.¡±

    ¡°Deal.¡± Grizzle jumped with surprising spring in his tail to high-five Brian.

    Meanwhile, a tall guy with his green hoodie up, seemingly unfazed by the heat, leapt off his raptor and let it nuzzle him like an oversized puppy. ¡°Such a good boy, yes you are, Big Delta,¡± he murmured, completely absorbed in his conversation with the creature, almost oblivious to the rest of the group.

    Ryan and Gaia, having finished their quiet conversation, dismounted as well. Ryan clapped Nick on the back, only to get a rooster-like crow from the raptor in response. Ryan threw up his hands in mock surrender, laughing as Nick soothed the big beast and sent the pack on their way with a cheerful wave.

    Nick joined the group, and Ryan introduced the elf to Joe and the others, but it was Dawn who struck up an easy conversation with him as they quickly began comparing notes on the map.

    Looking around, Joe¡¯s spirits lifted as he saw how easily everyone was connecting. It was a good reminder that they were all in this together. He wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking about the challenge ahead.

    ***

    Joe and TJ leapt back, barely dodging the fiery lava rocks skidding across the ground.

    TJ laughed. "Close one, and we¡¯re more than five miles out from the volcano."

    Dawn slammed a fist on her hip. "Wiped out again!" Joined moments earlier by the Blanche Brigade, she had been studying her map, tracking the movements of  ascender groups scouring the area near the titans. "Every time that happens, another group of ascenders comes back out from the zone inter-exchange. It¡¯s the same faction that goes up against the titan, respawning in the common room because they fail."

    Joe twisted the cord of his hoodie as he paced, trying to make sense of their actions. "All that time lost hiking back¡ªwhat are they thinking? No one¡¯s getting past that titan. Its sonic booms hit too fast for anyone to get close to the volcano. And with those quakes cracking open lava-spewing crevices, it¡¯s slowing everyone down even more.Who knows if they¡¯re even dealing any damage to it."

    Gaia tapped her bracelet, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I bet I could scale that mountain faster than the lava erupts, like I did in our battlebox." She locked eyes with Joe, halting his pacing. "And you won¡¯t have to bother catching me this time."

    Ryan shook his head. "Joe¡¯s seen more speedsters disappear from the base, only to be blasted into nothingness by that titan¡¯s sonic boom. There¡¯s no getting past the first titan."

    ¡°Look around.¡± TJ gestured to the skeleton graveyard, barely large enough to hide the rodents chomping on what remained of carcasses. "Even if we were small enough to hide behind these bones like Grizzle, we couldn¡¯t move quick enough before the titan¡¯s booms or lava spews blow us to smithereens."

    Dawn straightened, her eyes scanning the area. "One, two, no... wait." She paused, her gaze settling on a large prehistoric skeleton where a set of rats scattered. "There¡¯s another way. Can you see where the clever rats are coming from?"

    Joe activated his Quick Wit, following a trail of tiny rat paw tracks. "Tunnels over there."

    Rose raised her staff, blasting a mist into the ashen sky. Joe pulled his hoodie over his head as flaming lava rocks sizzled into muted brown chunks and fell around them¡ªeach ascender dodging to the left or right.

    "Thanks again, Rose." Joe adjusted his hoodie before turning to Dawn. "Does your map show any tunnels that lead to the base of the volcano?"

    Dawn''s eyes glossed over. "I¡¯m not able to shift to a lower level on the map. Nothing shows beneath the ground level." She paused, then engaged in a trance-like chant. "Nerus, hear my call."

    Beady black eyes darted in Dawn¡¯s direction as the rodents sniffed the air before funneling into a swarm toward the tunnels.

    "Home sweet home," Brian grunted as he bent down, entering the volcanic tomb. "Wonder if there¡¯ll be any good mining opportunities in here," his booming voice echoed through the long corridor.

    With Dawn out front, lighting the way, they ventured two by two into the tunnel. "Ah, my map still doesn¡¯t show this lower level. How about yours, Nick?"

    Nick bounded to her side. His shaved head was a stark contrast to Andras¡¯ dark emo-styled hair. "I¡¯ve got it¡ªhad to reach QRL16 to show multi-level mapping."

    Dawn groaned. "Two more level-ups and I¡¯ll have that capability."

    Joe inhaled the cooler air, only to cough as a warm draft carrying the stench of rotten eggs wafted by. "Watch out for the sulfuric gases. There may be steam pockets."

    "No, that was me," the dwarf-kobold hybrid boasted with pride.

    "Good one, Grizzle!" TJ''s voice bounced off the walls behind Joe. "Reminds me of mama¡¯s home stew."

    Brian muffled his nose with a sleeve. "Where¡¯s the canary when you need one?"

    Nick paused, stopping the group. "There¡¯s a split in the tunnel ahead, but the map doesn¡¯t show much difference. Both paths wrap around the base of the volcano in either direction."

    Dawn crouched low and closed her eyes. "The rodent clan continued to the left. I suggest we follow them."

    A sudden vibration sent small pebbles rolling down the walls. Joe activated Quick Wit, scanning the area. "Another sonic boom, this time above us. Good thing we¡¯re clear of its effect down here."

    Brian ran his hand along the wall, shaking his head. "Only for so long. The formation is weakening. Either we find a way out forward, or we¡¯ll be stuck digging our way back from where we came."

    Luna, shrugged. "Even as a kobold, I¡¯d rather respawn than dig through this brittle stone,¡± she said in a sweet, innocent voice if not a little clumsy, reminding Joe of Sailor Moon.

    Joe glanced at Ryan. "If we pick up our pace, we should get closer to the nesting mother before any of this tunnel collapses."

    Ryan nodded. "Then we¡¯ll be able to attack the male titan from behind once we kill her."Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    As they approached the intersection, Dawn peeked down both tunnels. "There¡¯s light in the other tunnel. I¡¯m not sure where its source is coming from, but it might be a better option. I don¡¯t want to drain too much mana if we¡¯re going to fight soon."

    A steady warmth drifted from the tunnel, making the blend of cool and warm air nauseating to Joe. "The rats probably avoided it for a reason."

    Nick shook his head. "The map shows it widens and curves out in branches. No straightforward route like the rat¡¯s tunnel."

    Joe flung his arms out to steady himself, Dawn grasping his arm as the ground quaked beneath him. The tunnel walls vibrated, a crack venting steaming sulfuric gas behind them.

    Coughing, Grizzle quirked a smile. "Not me this time, but it sure was a booger of a jolt to my senses."

    Brian patted Grizzle¡¯s back. "If we don¡¯t move soon, we could get trapped in this sulfuric chamber before we reach the brood."

    As the warmth of Dawn¡¯s hand slipped away, Joe cleared his throat. "Let¡¯s go with your initial Paladin gut instinct¡­your god wouldn¡¯t lead you astray."

    Ryan clapped his hands. "Shall the righteous lead us to victory."

    Gaia rolled her eyes. "Who was this god of yours you mentioned? An oversized rat? Even as a goddess, I never met one, and I¡¯ve been to many realms."

    The gradient of the tunnel increased with each step, heat rising from the depths of the cavernous system.

    "The exit is up ahead," Nick pointed his weapon toward a distant light, flashing like rapid-fire lightning strikes. "Go ahead."

    Gurgling pops echoed through the tunnel, followed by a loud crack and hiss.

    ¡°Move!¡± Joe pushed Nick and Dawn into the tunnel as steam punctured the wall where they once stood. Sulfuric gas filtered the chamber at a steady pace. ¡°Keep going.¡±

    Dawn crouched, looking back at the rest of the Titan Slayers and Blanche Brigade. The steam curling her fiery red hair. ¡°We can''t reach them unless you want to risk respawning from severe burns.¡±

    Joe exhaled. Even with Quick Wit activated, he couldn''t see through the blast of steam. ¡°Then we''ll meet them. We have the winding path, there''s a straight shot. Right, Nick?¡±

    In a calm, relaxed voice, Nick nodded. If he ever had doubts he didn''t show it on his face. ¡°There are multiple branches on our path, but that means we have options.¡±

    ¡°Follow the rat droppings!¡± Dawn yelled, dusting off her hands. No response back other than the constant hiss of steam. She glanced back at Joe. ¡°I don''t care about options, let''s take the shortest route.¡±

    Joe glanced up, stepping back from the vent. More ceiling pebbles clinked against the wall. ¡°Another sonic boom¡ªevery five minutes.¡±

    Nick narrowed his eyes. ¡°Five minutes and a five-mile radius.¡±

    Joe relayed the information through the alliance chat. ¡°We¡¯ve got quakes with sulphuric steam vents about every two minutes to be aware of.¡±

    As if the universe was hell-bent on proving Joe right, the tunnel walls groaned and shuddered, another quake rippling through the ground and opening up a fissure that sent loose rocks skittering across the floor.

    ¡°Hey, the map changed!¡± Nick took off down the tunnel. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    Joe and Dawn groaned, lighting the way as they ran after him and left the steaming vent behind. In mere moments, they nearly slammed into Ryan and Gaia.

    ¡°Aha, good ol¡¯ Nick.¡± Ryan¡¯s teeth gleamed in Dawn¡¯s light. ¡°He could lead you down a tunnel full of soot and still come out with a sack full of trinkets.¡±

    ¡°Even with his ranger skills, he can¡¯t see the quantum threads like I can.¡± Gaia let out a dramatic sigh, yanking handkerchiefs from her ring like some kind of over prepared school teacher. ¡°Put these on your nose and mouth.¡±

    TJ waved his hand, dismissing her offer. ¡°Smells not that bad¡ªnot like my brother¡¯s armpits. Now that was a kobold who could clear a room with a single wave hello.¡±

    ¡°I hate to break it to you, but you¡¯re not a kobold anymore,¡± Gaia said in a sharp tone, rolling her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t have the resistance to poisonous gasses like you used to. Please don¡¯t tell me I¡¯m the only one here who understands basic chemistry.¡± She swept her hair back with a flourish, placing a hand to her forehead like she was about to swoon. ¡°How did I end up surrounded by so many commoners?¡±

    Nick shot her a deadpan look. ¡°I¡¯m a mathematician, not a chemist, but I¡¯d say the odds are that your sparkling personality is partly to blame.¡±

    Dawn let out a snort of laughter, much to Gaia¡¯s disgust.

    Joe, not in the mood to die from a gas leak, quickened his pace while tying the handkerchief over his mouth and nose. He made a mental note of the ex-goddess being able to see quantum threads, something that could be more useful beyond seeing the sulfuric gasses. ¡°Gaia¡¯s right¡ªit¡¯s not the stinky stuff that¡¯ll get us. It¡¯s the carbon dioxide we can¡¯t see, taste, or smell. We might have these super-bodies, but it¡¯ll still knock us out cold before we even know it. So how about we save the witty banter¡ªand save the oxygen¡ªfor later?¡±

    ¡°Yep, we need to move faster,¡± Dawn said, glancing back at the group, her voice rough and raw from the dry air. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be a chemist to know this place is about to turn into a deathtrap.¡±

    Steam violently hissed behind them as more cracks formed in the wall, like the tunnel was pissed off and ready to snap. The heat intensified, the air growing thicker with every step.

    ¡°Everyone, stick together and stay low!¡± Dawn pointed at the rat droppings. ¡°We¡¯re following the rats¡ªthey¡¯re breathing the same air, and they know the safest path.¡±

    A loud crack echoed through the tunnel, followed by a hissing roar as a new fissure tore open right behind them, spewing more sulfuric gas like it was auditioning for the role of ¡®tunnel of doom.¡¯

    Nick clapped his hands, and suddenly a gust of wind blew by Joe, ruffling his hair with an unexpected minty freshness.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if I¡¯m part dwarf¡ªI hate this place so much right now!¡± Grizzle¡¯s voice trembled with panic. ¡°And look! There¡¯s a dead end ahead! Please, can we go back? Let¡¯s go back!¡±

    Luna sniffed the air and whipped her tail down, beckoning him forward. ¡°Don¡¯t think it¡¯s a dead end, I smell outside air. Hop on, buddy¡ªI¡¯ll carry you, and I¡¯ll rip apart anything that dares get near you.¡±

    Nick and Dawn pointed up in unison, giving Joe the universal signal for ¡®we¡¯re climbing that thing.¡¯

    Joe squinted at what they were pointing to¡ªa narrow shaft leading upward, with faint light filtering down from the nesting crater above. It was the shortest route, but it was like volunteering to climb a chimney with a raging fire at the bottom. Even with Rose¡¯s cooling mist, the heat continued to prickle his skin, like the walls were waiting to deep-fry them.

    Rose stepped forward, her expression a mix of determination and ¡®don¡¯t mess with me.¡¯ ¡°None of us want to end up crispy climbing up there.¡± She raised her staff, and with a wave, icy air blasted out, frosting the walls of the vent. The searing heat gave way to sharp, biting cold¡ªa welcome change if there ever was one.

    Ranger Nick showed he had wilderness skills and was already gearing up with what looked like rock climbing equipment. ¡°Let me go first. I¡¯ve got gear to place on the walls, along with ropes for those of you who aren¡¯t natural climbers unlike Luna.¡±

    No one argued.

    Nick climbed the vent in seconds, the clanging of carabiners and ropes echoing down as he fixed them into cracks just wide enough to hold.

    Dawn followed, her hands and feet finding grip on the slick, icy surface with surprising ease. Joe waited, making sure the rest were moving, before grabbing onto the wall and hauling himself up.

    The climb was pure hell. Even with his Scaler eternal honor, his strength stat was barely over two. The vent was narrow, the frost making it slippery, but the cold was a relief from the sweltering heat below. Joe¡¯s breath came in harsh gasps, his hands numb from the chill, but he kept going, refusing to look down into the abyss that was definitely trying to kill them.

    Another tremor hit, shaking the vent and sending a few more rocks tumbling down. Joe¡¯s heart nearly jumped out of his chest as he clung to the icy wall, praying it wouldn¡¯t be the last quake before everything collapsed. Time was running out¡ªthe poison gas would flood the tunnel soon, and anyone still down there would be screwed.

    ¡°Almost there!¡± Rose¡¯s voice called down, echoing off the frosted walls. Joe could see the light getting brighter, feel the air getting fresher, and it spurred him on.

    With one final heave, Joe pulled himself up over the edge and collapsed onto the rocky ground at the top of the vent. He took a moment to suck in the cool air, letting it soothe his burning lungs.

    But there was no time to enjoy the break. He glanced up, the crater loomed ahead, jagged and broken like the maw of some monstrous beast. And in the center, nestled in a bed of molten rock, stood the Mother of all titans. A massive beast the size of four colossal trucks, her wings peaked above her head as she tucked them close to protect her nest. Scales the color of burnt copper, her tail lashed out, cracking the ground with every swing. With each movement, the glint of enormous eggs flickered beneath her, each one nearly the size of a boulder.

    Joe accessed the information he¡¯d seen in the Titan Hall.

    [Scaldera

    Type: Elemental Titan - Fire/Wind

    Level: 110, Low Silver Mana Rank

    Health Points (HP): 18,993

    Mana Particles (MP): 8,000

    Strength: 79

    Agility: 87

    Intelligence: 62

    Constitution: 130

    Charisma: 34]

    Activating Quick Wit, Joe¡¯s senses sharpened, making him hyper aware of the rocky edge of the crater and the steep drop to the plateau below. The wind buffeted him, forcing him to lean into it, steadying himself as his feet dug into the shifting gravel to keep from falling from the cliff¡¯s edge. The ground seemed alive on the plateau below, but as he zoomed in his focus, he realized it wasn¡¯t the earth moving¡ªit was the mass of ascenders, a couple hundred strong, charging across the battlefield like ants swarming a picnic.

    ¡°Keep an eye on the momma.¡± Joe motioned to Dawn, his gaze fixed on the scene below. ¡°Something¡¯s going down, and I need to check it out.¡±

    Dawn gave a sharp nod and signaled the others to move in slowly, keeping their approach low-key. They still had the element of surprise and weren''t about to let that go to waste.

    Joe edged closer to the crater, every step making his pulse thud a little louder in his ears. Peering down, he saw the battlefield in all its chaotic glory. Factions were unloading everything they had¡ªranged attacks, magic missiles, you name it. Each strike lit up the father titan¡¯s azure scales with a bright flash, like fireworks on a dark night, but Joe could tell it was barely making a dent on its health.

    The titan didn¡¯t retaliate right away. Instead, it banked left, pulling off a wide, sweeping circle around the crater. The wind whipped past Joe as the beast picked up speed, the sheer force rocking him back on his heels. Its broad leathery wings flapped once, twice, sending gusts strong enough to ruffle his hair and make his heart skip a beat. For a second, the titan¡¯s enormous eye, dark and unblinking like a moon on the move, sailed past him, gathering speed with each beat of those colossal wings.

    Joe barely had time to catch his breath before the titan unleashed its real fury. It circled back, coming in with a slingshot effect that sent shockwaves through the air. The ground trembled beneath him, and his breath caught in his throat as he watched the Sonic Boom tear through the battlefield like an atomic tornado, ripping apart everything in its path. The destruction was absolute, the sound so loud that even from behind its trajectory rattled his bones.

    The titan didn¡¯t stop there. The beast dipped its head, wings folding inward as to dove into a spectacular display of aerial acrobatics, slicing through the air like a living missile. The wind it generated was like a phantom, sweeping across the plateau and clearing away the dusty haze in an instant, leaving behind a chilling sight¡ªthe shattered remains of every single ascender who had dared to stand in its way.

    Notifications flooded Joe¡¯s vision, dozens of them, each one marking the fall of another faction. Ten down in a blink, with more ascenders already streaming in to replace them.

    But then Joe¡¯s eye caught on something else¡ªa lone group holding back at the edge of the plateau, well outside the five mile area of effect. Joe¡¯s chest tightened as his gaze landed on Andras, his dark emo hair unmistakable. The bastard was keeping his distance, letting others take the brunt of the attack while he waited for the health points to drop. Cannon fodder, that¡¯s all they were to him, softening up the titan so he could swoop in and claim the kill when it was weak enough.

    The mother titan roared, the sound shaking the very ground they stood on. Cracks spread like spider webs across the crater¡¯s surface as her murderous gaze fell upon Joe and his crew.

 Chapter 30: Hell Hath No Fury

    [Titan Slayers in alliance with Blanche Brigade faction have engaged Second Floor Titan, Scaldera, in battle. All other ascenders in the vicinity awaiting their turn, please standby. May the god of all titans have mercy on their souls.]

    ¡°Spread out!¡± TJ shouted, already moving to flank the beast. ¡°We need to distract her, keep her focused on us!¡±

    Dawn stood there, staring at Scaldera. Her grip tightened on her weapon, like she was trying to hold onto something that was slipping away. ¡°We don¡¯t have to kill her,¡± she said, voice shaking. It was like she was fighting with herself, the compassion in her tone battling the logic in her mind. ¡°She¡¯s just defending her nest.¡±

    TJ didn¡¯t even break stride, his words coming out like a slap. ¡°It¡¯s us or them. You want to die or get stuck here being all noble? Be my guest.¡±

    Dawn looked like she wanted to argue, but the words stuck in her throat. She bit her lip, eyes locked on the titan, torn between what felt right and what had to be done. Her shoulders slumped¡ªshe knew TJ was right but seemed to be unable to say it.

    Nick caught her eye, giving her a quick, understanding look. One of those silent exchanges that said everything without a word.

    Scaldera had no interest in their moral debate. Her tail lashed out at Rose, forcing her to instantly react.

    Rose positioned herself at the center, with an ominous glow she summoned every ounce of power she had in reserve. Joe could see the strain in her eyes, but there was no hesitation as she slammed the staff down with all of her force combined.

    The thorns on her staff tore into Scaldera''s flesh, ripping through the scales with a sound that made Joe¡¯s stomach churn. It wasn¡¯t simply the crunch of bone and scale¡ªit was the realization that they were playing right into the Lich''s twisted game. The Lich had set this up, putting these titans here to force them into slaughtering a mother trying to protect her young. It was a sick joke, and they were the punchline.

    [Scaldera HP: 16,553]

    The mother titan howled in pain, her wings flaring out as she reared back, blood pouring from the wounds Rose had inflicted. The sight of that crimson staining the rocky ground was like a gut punch to Joe. He hated this¡ªhated that they had no choice but to kill her if they wanted to survive.

    And then the real nightmare began.

    With an agonized shriek, Scaldera spread her wings wide in a protective stance and unleashed a dazzling flare of light. Joe threw his arms up, but the light scorched through his eyelids, burning white-hot into his vision. Spots danced in the darkness as his eyes throbbed as if he¡¯d stared at the sun for too long.

    ¡°Damn it! I can¡¯t see!¡± Joe shouted, blinking rapidly to clear his vision, but it was no use. Everything he glanced at blurred into shadows and burn spots.

    [Lightstrike. Your vision has been impaired. Three minute debuff.]

    ¡°We need to take her down before she does that again!¡± Dawn yelled, though Joe could barely catch a glimpse of her location.

    Sensing their disorientation, Scaldera struck with ferocity. Her beak snapped at the air with deadly precision, and her talons slashed through the ground, sending shockwaves that reverberated through Joe¡¯s bones.

    ¡°This is some nursery from hell.¡± Joe struggled to stay focused as his senses screamed in overload. ¡°Ryan! I don¡¯t know if these titans can respawn, but if we all go down, we won¡¯t get another shot. Someone else will swoop in for the kill and loot!¡±

    Ryan¡¯s party was already in motion, every move sharp and calculated. ¡°Understood!¡± Ryan shouted back, his voice firm. ¡°We need to finish this now¡ª If other alliances can join in, whoever lands the final blow gets the biggest reward, but we all get crystal loot!¡±

    Joe gritted his teeth and pushed forward, even though Scaldera¡¯s blinding light had nearly wiped out his vision. His heart kicked up a notch as the reality hit him¡ªAndras had numbers on his side. Once the elf took down the male titan protecting Scaldera, he¡¯d have his factions scrambling up the volcano to take out Scaldera. Joe couldn¡¯t let that happen.

    ¡°Stay focused!¡± Joe heard Rose call out, though her voice sounded distant, distorted. ¡°We need to adapt¡ªcompensate for what we¡¯ve lost.¡±

    Panic gnawed at the edges of his mind as his world blurred and narrowed. Not willing to give in Joe fumbled for the small metal tin Brian had given him earlier. He popped it open and grabbed one of the pellets inside. Rough between his fingers, but as he bit down, the surprisingly mild flavor brought instant relief, cooling his throat and calming his nerves. Gradually, his vision cleared, the haze lifting enough to make out shapes and movement. He still had two minutes left on his debuff.

    With Quick Wit activated, Joe still sensed the vibrations of the titans'' movements. He reached out, feeling for the rough texture of the rocks around him, using touch to guide himself forward.

    ¡°Rose, can you counter the flare attack?¡± Dawn¡¯s voice was strained as she tracked the beast¡¯s movements.

    ¡°Thorn strikes are useless now. It¡¯ll have to be wide and ranged until I can see better.¡± Rose summoned her water whip with a flick of her wrist. The whip crackled through the air, lashing out at Scaldera¡¯s face. Water slashed across the titan¡¯s scales, hissing as it met the heat of her body, but the impact was more annoying than damaging, barely making Scaldera flinch.

    Ryan came into view on the far side toting dual pistols trained on her as she leaned to the side to defend her brood. He fired off a quick volley, each shot dead-on, but Scaldera¡¯s hide was too tough¡ªthe elemental bullets bounced off her scales, sparking brilliant blue before fizzling out.

    Joe activated Shadow Step and charged forward. Scaldera¡¯s talons came down hard, missing him by inches as he ducked and rolled to the side. Even with his blurred vision he could see enough to aim his strike. With a roar, he drove his butterfly knife into the titan¡¯s exposed flank, feeling the resistance as his blade met flesh.

    ¡°Aim for the eye!¡± Joe shouted, his voice cutting through the din, his vision nearly returned.

    Ryan quickly adjusted his aim, focusing on Scaldera¡¯s massive, glowing eyes. He squeezed the triggers, sending two shots straight into the beast¡¯s left eye. The bullets hit their mark, piercing the soft tissue. Scaldera screeched, rearing back in pain as her vision clouded with blood. She thrashed, blinded in one eye by the attack.

    [Scaldera HP: 14,426]

    With the lightstrike debuff gone, Joe saw Brian respawn and raise his crossbow from the distance. A bolt whizzed past Joe toward Scaldera¡¯s good eye, but the enraged titan swatted it away like an annoying fly. Orange dust burst from the bolt as it slammed against the volcanic rock.

    Lunging, Scaldera speared him with her beak, plucking his stomach apart. Brian¡¯s body faded away.

    TJ, seizing the opportunity, leapt towards her and hacked at her legs. ¡°Taste of your own medicine.¡± His strikes were more powerful than Joe¡¯s allowing his machete to slice through the thick skin, blood sprayed like a fountain this time.

    Some fat drops splashed poor Grizzle darting around Scaldera¡¯s feet, launching rainbow-colored haze grenades. The grenades exploded in bursts of colorful smoke, meant to disorient and distract. But against a titan like Scaldera, they were little more than a flashy display, their effectiveness almost nonexistent. Still, Grizzle kept at it, his small form dodging and weaving between Scaldera¡¯s thrashing limbs.

    Luna clung to Scaldera¡¯s tail, gripping it like a rodeo rider on a bucking bull as the titan thrashed.

    Seeing the danger, Gaia shouted, ¡°Binding Chains!¡± as she cast a spell to hold the tail in place. For a brief moment, glowing chains wrapped around Scaldera¡¯s tail, giving Luna a chance to steady herself.

    ¡°Hold on, Luna!¡± Gaia called out, but the spell was short-lived. The massive difference in power between Gaia and the titan became apparent as the chains quickly shattered. Scaldera¡¯s tail whipped back, and Luna flung off, hitting the ground with a hard thud.

    Luna bounced back to her feet, a bit clumsy but grinning like she hadn¡¯t just been flung across the battlefield. ¡°I¡¯m fine! Let¡¯s try that again!¡± she seemed to cheer, already eyeing Scaldera¡¯s tail for another round.

    Gaia shook her head, exasperated. ¡°It¡¯s your funeral. She¡¯ll mash you into kobold paste and spread you on toast. I can¡¯t use my spell again¡ªthe cooldown time is a bitch.¡±

    ¡°Like you,¡± TJ said with teeth bared as he hacked another chunk out of Scaldera¡¯s leg. Ryan rounded the titan his pistols glowing and unloaded a barrage of bullets at her one good eye. Her wing shot up and fanned out protecting her head. The bullets ricochet forcing Ryan to leap out of the way.

    Nick respawned next to Joe, using some Crocodile Dundee trick with his hand to calm and misdirect Scaldera. As soon as her gaze shifted away from them, Nick gripped his handaxe. Activating Shadow Step, Joe moved in unison with Nick, their blades striking the titan¡¯s flank again.

    ¡°We need a combined attack.¡± Joe yelled and his pals, knowing the score, moved into position. He called over to Ryan and Gaia. ¡°When we''re done, there should be stacking damage so unleash hell on her before she recovers.¡±

    Rose snapped her water whip, the crack of it landing right where Scaldera¡¯s scales were weakest. Joe saw his chance and rushed in, his butterfly knife slicing through the opening Rose had created. TJ wasn¡¯t far behind, swinging his machete and tearing into the exposed flesh. A Dual Strike faction notification flashed, the titan¡¯s HP dropping by twenty percent.

    Dawn made a consecutive strike from the opposite side, her steel blade flashing in the dim light. If their faction boon hadn¡¯t still been on cool down, they¡¯d have made greater damage.

    [Scaldera HP: 8,740]

    Scaldera violently thrashed, her wings beating the air in a desperate attempt to fend them off, but their two factions kept slamming her with coordinated strikes. Each hit stacked up the damage, forcing Scaldera to stagger back, her defenses crumbling. That¡¯s when Gaia stepped up, chanting something under her breath. The ground rumbled, and suddenly, jagged stone spikes shot up from the earth, slamming into Scaldera¡¯s side, right where they¡¯d softened her up.

    The sheer size of the earth spikes drained Gaia¡¯s mana rapidly, nearly exhausting her as they tore into Scaldera¡¯s side. The titan¡¯s HP dropped rapidly. With a pained roar she swayed side to side before keeling over, wings limp.

    Ryan approached, his steps slow and reluctant, guns raised but with a pained look on his face. He raised a single pistol, aiming it right at Scaldera¡¯s eye. ¡°May you find peace,¡± he said in a soft tone, the weight of the moment heavy in his voice. He pulled the trigger, and the earth-and-wind-infused shot pierced straight through her eye.

    Scaldera let out one final, heart-wrenching cry, drowned by the roar of the male titan¡¯s sonic booms echoing in response.

    As the smoke curled from the barrel, Ryan¡¯s shoulders slumped, the adrenaline of the fight draining from him. He stood there, watching until her massive form finally went still.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    [Congratulations! Floor Two Titan Scaldera has been defeated. Floor three remains locked until Tremorion has been defeated.]

    Joe stood there, breathing heavily, his heart pounding. Around him, the others were silent, weapons lowered as the reality of what they¡¯d just done sank in.

    They¡¯d won, but the victory felt hollow. The Lich had forced them into this twisted game, making them kill a mother defending her young, and Joe couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that they¡¯d lost something important.

    ¡°Guilt and regret are for the weak,¡± the blue flame inside Joe whispered, heating his chest. ¡°You did what needed to be done. Remember her lifeless form, and let it fuel your vengeance. The time will come.¡±

    ¡°The Lich designed this hellhole, and we¡¯ve still got two titans to deal with,¡± Joe said, trying to shake off the voice.

    Nick knelt beside the nest and carefully pushed back one of the Mother Titan''s wings. Beneath it lay the cluster of eggs. They pulsed faintly with a soft, internal glow, a reminder of the life that could have been.

    ¡°Anyone fancy an omelet?¡± TJ asked, breaking the heavy silence. He nudged one egg with his boot. ¡°Or do you prefer them fried, sunny side up?¡±

    Dawn scowled.

    ¡°What? Too soon.¡± TJ shrugged. ¡°Just trying to lighten the mood. You think I enjoyed that? Besides, I can tell the one I kicked is a slug, a non-fertilized egg. The rest, though, we should save. Maybe they can be hand-reared.¡±

    ¡°Or sold on the black market.¡± Brian patted the top of an egg. ¡°Whatever the equivalent is here, I¡¯m sure someone will be interested in buying them.¡±

    Ryan nodded. ¡°We have a duty not to sell them to the likes of Andras or anyone working on his behalf. I¡¯ve got a large enough inventory to store them for now.¡±

    Grizzle looked at Brian, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°Who knows what kind of alchemy or crafting we can get from that slug egg, not to mention the loot from the mother.¡± He pointed to something that looked like a stack of rainbow-colored dragon scales and crystals.

    Before they could finish discussing the details, a rumble shook the ground beneath them, followed by a deafening sonic boom that left Joe¡¯s ears ringing again.

    [Congratulations! Floor Two Titan Tremorion has been defeated. Floor Three is unlocked for all ascenders. Proceed with caution to your designated zones.]

    Joe looked down across the plateau to see Andras and his team standing victorious over the massive corpse.

    ¡°Andras did it.¡± Joe crossed his arms. He watched as Andras stood in the background, calm and calculating, like a general orchestrating a battle from afar. The members of his faction moved with military precision, gathering loot while Andras¡¯s music played softly in the background, a haunting melody that seemed to control the very wind around them.

    Andras¡¯ hair still seemed pristine and not a smudge of blood or sweat poured from his fingers. Joe¡¯s shoulders and chest tightened. Sure enough, the dark elf never directly engaged in the fight. He let his less-experienced members serve as cannon fodder to test Tremorion¡¯s strength and weaknesses. All the while, Andras didn¡¯t even blink as his party fell.

    ¡°He uses them like pawns,¡± Joe said, disgust creeping into his voice. ¡°He¡¯s got five active members, but the rest? Just waiting to be sacrificed.¡±

    Ryan, standing beside him, nodded. ¡°If an active member dies or respawns, a non-active member takes their place. It¡¯s a brutal system, but it works.¡±

    ¡°What happens now?¡± Dawn asked, her voice edged with concern as she followed Joe¡¯s gaze.

    Rocks skittered over the edge of the cliff, dislodged by TJ as he stepped up beside her and stowed his weapon with a practiced motion. ¡°We take what¡¯s ours and move to the next floor. Forget those losers down there¡ªthey¡¯ll be old news by the time we¡¯re taking down the next titan.¡±

    ¡°Not if Andras has his way.¡± Dawn placed a hand on her hip, staring at Andras coordinating his faction. ¡°He¡¯ll be shouting from the rooftops about how he single-handedly took down a titan and how we couldn¡¯t have done squat without his so-called help.¡±

    A pit of dread formed in Joe¡¯s stomach, twisting tighter with each word. Damn, she was probably right. As soon as they got back to the Orange Zone, he¡¯d need to check in with Lucky¡ªfigure out a way to contact him between zones.

    After collecting all the loot, they took advantage of Nick¡¯s climbing expertise and gear to scale down the cliff to the plateau below. The descent was tricky, the wind swirling around them like a playful but dangerous ghost, threatening to yank them off the cliffside. Joe¡¯s grip on the rope tightened until his knuckles turned white, the only thing keeping him grounded was Andras¡¯ flute echoing from below. In that moment, he couldn¡¯t be more than thankful for the ringing in his ears.

    Once they reached the bottom, Andras¡¯s music had been replaced with god awful gloating.

    ¡°There they are, the Titan Slayers, themselves.¡± Andras pointed the end of his flute at Joe. ¡°I¡¯m not going to let you take my faction¡¯s loot too, you thieves.¡±

    Joe took a swig of the mana potion, Brian had handed out to the party. ¡°What¡¯s yours is yours, and the system knows that. No one can steal the time crystals from the faction or alliance that defeated the titan.¡±

    Andras¡¯ eyes narrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t believe Joe¡¯s lies. Johnny boy, here,¡± Andras tugged on a ratfolk¡¯s red hood, pulling him up from collecting loot. ¡°He¡¯s done the math.¡±

    Johnny¡¯s furry, gray ears twitched as he gave a quick nod.

    Andras patted his back, adjusting the ratfolk¡¯s hoodie. ¡°With their stats, there¡¯s no way of winning two titan battles in a row.¡± He turned toward the few factions that remained, accepting the time crystals from Andras¡¯ faction members. ¡°The Titan Slayers have to be bribing somebody to win. They¡¯re not playing fair. I bet Joe has it in with the Lich Master.¡±

    Rose cupped her hands around her mouth. ¡°Rumors!¡±

    A screen emerged from the cliff¡¯s wall, along with an ancient, rattling cough. ¡°Ahem, thanks, Poppy.¡± The lich appeared, his lipless smile unnerved Joe to his very core.

    ¡°And so it should.¡± The blue flame flickered to life in Joe¡¯s chest.

    With the distraction, Brian inched closer to the fallen titan, Tremorion and uncapped an empty bottle. ¡°Loot or not, no one else is going to collect these tears.¡±

    Andras bowed toward the screen. ¡°And so he arrives, the Lich Master summoned from Joe like a loyal pet coming to heel.¡±

    ¡°Watch your mouth bard!¡± Steepling his fingers, the lich¡¯s hollow eyes locked onto Andras. ¡°There¡¯s no evidence of foul play in my tower.¡±

    Andras'' back turned from the lich, and he spoke to his members in a low voice. ¡°See what I mean.¡± Joe shook his head as a smile crept across Andras¡¯ face, and he put his flute to his lips. A simple melodic tune filtered through the air.

    ¡°That¡¯s better, Ascender 245.¡± The lich leaned back, chuckling. ¡°Be of good use and let the merriment of your chosen bard class entertain the masses.¡±

    Joe rubbed the back of his neck. Despite all the time crystals Andras had been collecting from Lucky¡¯s scavenger trait, he¡¯d yet to use any of them for himself. Joe glanced around at the sea of red hoodies plucking time crystals embedded into the volcanic rock.

    Why would he hoard time?

    The blue flame pressed against his chest, pulsing heat waves as he whispered an answer he¡¯d not requested. ¡°He¡¯s smarter than you, chump.¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± TJ yelled, wiggling a finger in his ear as he looked at Andras. ¡°But get better at playing.¡±

    Ignoring TJ¡¯s outburst, Andras continued but bounded forward with a quick tap of his foot at one of his own faction members. Dressed in orange unlike the others, the faction member raised a closed fist at the lich¡¯s screen. ¡°You¡¯re the one who put us in this tower of hell.¡±

    ¡°Now, now. Don¡¯t get too hasty in your accusations.¡± The lich¡¯s bony finger clinked against the glass screen like he was about to make a toast. ¡°You wanted to die.¡±

    The changeling Joe had eavesdropped on from earlier in the common room stepped forward. ¡°Lich¡¯s have phylactery¡¯s for their soul. We need to find it¡ª¡±

    ¡°And take our power back!¡± His kobold friend with punk-styled spiky hair finished the sentence.

    Joe¡¯s chest burned as the flame seemed to somersault. ¡°This is where things get really interesting.¡±

    Joe placed a hand on Brian¡¯s shoulder. ¡°This is getting sketchy. I¡¯ve a bad feeling about this.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead and head back.¡± Brian glanced at Joe. ¡°You¡¯ve been outed as the leader of the Titan Slayers, I¡¯d hate to see a riot break out, targeting you because they can¡¯t reach the lich.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want you here by yourself.¡± Joe twisted a cord on his hoodie, and looked at the scowl plastered on Dawn¡¯s face. ¡°I know how much you love Andras, stay with Brian to make sure that elf doesn¡¯t try to steal Brian¡¯s loot.¡±

    ¡°Not a problem.¡± Dawn smirked.  I¡¯ll see you back in the Orange Zone after I knock that emo elf flat on his back. No fight taxes out here.¡±

    Joe nodded. ¡°TJ and Rose, you¡¯re with me. I think it¡¯s time we initiate our own battlebox challenge.¡±

    ***

    The trek back to the common room entrance was a mix of adrenaline and exhaustion between TJ, Rose, and the Blanche Brigade chatting about the second floor titan battle.

    Joe distracted himself by checking the list of factions with public settings. His eyes narrowed as he quickly scanned the names of those who had died going up against Tremorion. A bit more digging, and it hit him¡ªthey all had a Known status with Andras¡¯ faction. As he kept scrolling, their statuses blinked from Known to Hostile. If Joe had to bet money, they were already in an alliance with Andras and whatever he¡¯d been telling them gave them strong opinions against the Titan Slayers. Talking to Lucky would confirm his suspicions.

    After parting ways with Ryan and his faction, they entered the Orange Zone. TJ was in high spirits, practically buzzing that they¡¯d all increased their ascender rank, edging closer to join the Blanche Brigade in the Green Zone.

    Scanning the Titan Slayers¡¯ ascender numbers, TJ¡¯d been right. Once Brian added his time crystal loot, he¡¯d match TJ at 95. Joe jolted from his thoughts as a familiar voice called out.

    ¡°Hey, guys! Well done out there,¡± Lucky said, his tone wavering. ¡°I couldn¡¯t watch¡ªit¡¯s too distressing. But Andras said you were a necessary evil, that only certain¡­psychopathic minds could kill a vulnerable, defenseless mother simply trying to protect her young.¡±

    Joe winced at the accusation, but TJ cut in before he could respond. ¡°It¡¯s not like we had a choice, Lucky. Andras killed the Father and let tons of ascenders lose years in respawn tokens. I¡¯ve said it before¡ªyou need to wake up and smell the roses, ¡®cause they¡¯re as rotten as your boss.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s lower lip quivered. ¡°I hate all this killing and violence. Each titan ecosystem created here should be explored¡ªto better understand, not destroyed for entertainment.¡±

    TJ frowned, the pop of pressure from his drink lid made Lucky jump. ¡°Yeah, well, the Lich is like an armchair big-game hunter¡ªgets the thrill of the kill with the odds stacked in his favor.¡±

    ¡°Andras isn¡¯t much different,¡± Joe added, crossing his arms. ¡°Except, he barely had to lift a finger to end that majestic beast¡¯s life. He convinced all those other factions to weaken the titan for him. And now, he¡¯s going to put a positive spin on that?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a coward and a liar,¡± TJ snapped, not even trying to hide the disgust in his voice.

    ¡°He¡¯s already sending out alliance notifications to those factions that are close to being wiped out.¡± Joe shook his head. ¡°Looks like there¡¯s plenty more in the Red Zone for him to exploit.¡±

    Rose pulled her hair down from a bun, the blond locks softening her face even more. ¡°How is he convincing them to risk so much when they¡¯ve got so little time left? It makes no sense that they¡¯d go out there just to die so Andras can claim the kill.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t like it either.¡± Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitched. ¡°I told Andras that. He reassured me and those heading out that he had their best interests at heart, that their respawn tokens were safe with him. The first groups he sent out were to gather information. Once they realized the time was too short to take down the titan given its high levels of health and mana, Andras started requesting volunteers to ¡®take one for the team.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Would the Merry Miners be one of those factions?¡± Joe asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

    Lucky tapped his chin, highlighting the few gray hairs Joe hadn¡¯t noticed earlier. ¡°Why yes, I think so.¡±

    Joe ran through the list of factions that had died, and it was no surprise¡ªthey were all on Friendly terms with Andras. Lucky confirmed this by checking his alliance status screen.

    ¡°That¡¯s all well and good,¡± Rose interjected, ¡°but you can¡¯t reverse aging with respawn tokens. Some of those guys have less than twenty turns left.¡±

    ¡°Oh, he promised he knew a way to get extra years beyond the life expectancy of their respawn tokens,¡± Lucky said, his voice tinged with hope as he bounced on the balls of his feet. ¡°They only need to prove their loyalty by doing a few favors first.¡±

    ¡°A few favors,¡± Rose echoed, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s really vague, Lucky. Can you be more specific?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t.¡± Lucky backed away a step. ¡°It¡¯s a case-by-case basis, and I only know the basics. It¡¯s¡­client confidentiality between Andras and each ascender.¡± He looked at Joe with an uneasy expression, like he was speaking from experience.

    ¡°Don¡¯t trust him.¡± Rose rolled her eyes. ¡°This is too much drama right now, I¡¯m going to the washroom.¡±

    Joe''s eyes narrowed on Lucky. ¡°Did you give him your respawn token?¡±

    TJ stopped drinking, his face hardening. ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, Lucky, he¡¯s using you. You¡¯ll never get that back.¡± His fist clenched, the muscles in his arms twitching. ¡°Just say the word, and I¡¯ll take it off him as soon as I see that thieving bastard.¡±

    Lucky waved his hands in a panicked motion. ¡°No, no, TJ, please don¡¯t. I¡¯m in his debt. It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t fight¡ªI won¡¯t fight. Andras was the first person to offer me a place where I¡¯d be safe and still useful.¡±

    ¡°What about us? We offered too,¡± TJ said, his voice cracking with something that sounded a lot like betrayal.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Lucky backed away further, looking like a cornered animal. ¡°I better go. There¡¯s much to be done, and I was supposed to hand these out in all zones.¡±

    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s this?¡± Looking refreshed, Rose returned from the washroom and snatched one of the leaflets from Lucky¡¯s hand. Her face paled as she read it in silence.

    Lucky scampered off, eager to escape the tense atmosphere. Joe¡¯s eyes snapped back to Rose. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Joe¡­ I think you better read this¡­¡±

 Chapter 31: Winning or Losing?

    Joe sat on the wrinkled sack, his eyes locked on the crumpled leaflet in his hand. The words on the page were like poison, each sentence laced with Andras¡¯ manipulative charm. ¡°It¡¯s all propaganda, designed to persuade the ascenders who still had doubts of Andras¡¯ intentions.¡±

    Rose let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Of course he would. What¡¯s he telling people?¡±

    ¡°The first line says it all¡ªfalse promises.¡± Joe read it aloud for TJ and Rose to hear.

    To all Ascenders, your loyalty will be rewarded. Join me in the fight for fairness and together, we will give every Ascender the chance they deserve.

    Rose scoffed. ¡°What¡¯s his angle, why¡¯s everyone turning Hostile on us?¡±

    ¡°Because he¡¯s blaming us for being power hungry.¡± Joe clenched the leaflet, reading the lies.

    Every titan battle gives an opportunity for everyone to rise, but certain factions are monopolizing these chances. Two titans¡ªtwo chances to change your fate¡ªboth snatched away by the same group. Ask yourself, how did they defeat them only to grab every precious crystal time loot for themselves?

    ¡°If we were, then we¡¯d all be in the Green Zone.¡± Rose grumbled under her breath as Joe continued.

    The Titan Slayers are cheating the system; there¡¯s no doubt about it.

    TJ crumpled the canned drink between his palms. ¡°That elf needs to be GORED for calling us out.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°But fear not, for I, Andras, will ensure this corruption is exposed and dealt with. We¡¯re going to make this game fair, and make it work for all the Ascenders. Believe me, I promise you, you¡¯re going to love winning.¡±

    Rose held a hand to her mouth. ¡°Ugh, I think I¡¯m going to be sick.¡±

    ¡°Let me see that.¡± Ryan approached, gesturing for the paper and Joe happily gave it away. He nodded to Gaia who stood beside him. Joe appreciated seeing her wear a green hoodie again, even if she hadn¡¯t taken the time back from his battlebox win.

    Rose crossed her arms. ¡°I never trusted that dark elf. He¡¯s feeding other factions lies and making us out to be villains like we can rig the system to win these titan battles.¡±

    Joe glanced around the room as other ascenders whispered in hushed tones, casting an occasional accusatory eye their way. ¡°They¡¯re believing it because they¡¯re desperate, and Andras is giving them a target to blame for their lost chance at the titans.¡±

    ¡°We need to be careful.¡± Ryan groaned, looking back up from the paper. ¡°If this continues, we won¡¯t simply be dealing with Andras. We¡¯ll have half of the ascenders coming after our alliance, convinced we¡¯re the ones keeping them down.¡±

    ¡°You''re right.¡± Joe stood up, but paused at the low hum vibrating from the walls. Screens flickered to life, capturing white noise.

    Rose flicked her hair. ¡°Not another lich announcement.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t he figure out his own technology?¡± TJ laughed.

    If they could see the screen, Joe didn¡¯t need to activate Quick Wit to see some subliminal message. Instead, his eyes widened as words appeared in the corner of the screen like some TV network, followed by the background of the second floor cinder pines and ferns.

    Gaia shrugged, though she seemed more interested than she let on as her eyes stayed glued to the screen. ¡°It¡¯s footage from the floor.¡±

    ¡°Uhh,...what¡¯s a Hollow Cam?¡± Rose also stepped closer to watch.

    Joe¡¯s gaze circled the room, catching the flicker of every single screen as they blinked to life. At first glance, they all seemed to be showing the same thing¡ªfootage from somewhere out on the second floor. But then he noticed the differences: some screens labeled ¡°Hollow Cam¡± were like first-person shooter games, while others gave a bird¡¯s-eye view of the action.

    Murmurs of confusion rippled through the room, echoing Rose¡¯s own stunned silence. Everyone was slowly piecing it together¡ªthey were seeing through the eyes of a Hollow. But how the hell was that even possible? And why were they being shown this now?

    ¡°Is it a live feed?¡± a guy with a hoodie draped over his shoulders asked his buddy, who just shrugged, equally baffled.

    Joe¡¯s stomach twisted into a knot. Oh shit, what if it is? Brian and Dawn are still out there.

    He pushed through the crowd of ascenders glued to the screens, brushing shoulders with Rose, who stood frozen, her lips parted as she watched the horror unfold.

    Joe didn¡¯t wait to see what happened next. He yanked up the party chat interface:

    Joe: Brian, Dawn, drop what you¡¯re doing and get the hell out of there.

    He marked the message urgent and hit send, praying one of them would see it in time.

    TJ was suddenly at his side, his body swayed as he shifted his weight back and forth. ¡°They¡¯re not answering¡ªwhy the hell aren¡¯t they answering?¡± His eyes darted toward the exit leading to the second floor, like he already knew the grim answer.

    Rose glanced at Joe, her voice tight with forced optimism. ¡°They¡¯ll be fine. The two of them are together¡ªthey¡¯ve got each other¡¯s back.¡±

    Joe nodded, though the knot in his stomach only tightened.

    ¡°I¡¯m going out there.¡± TJ took a step toward the door. ¡°If those Hollows give chase, they¡¯re too fast to outrun. Their stats aren¡¯t built for speed.¡±

    But then he froze, his eyes glued to the screen. The Hollow Cam shuddered, and a low groan rumbled through the speakers.

    The Hollow emerged from the shadow of towering Cinder Pines, stepping into a barren, rocky clearing. Joe tensed as the recognition hit him like a punch to the gut. He flicked his eyes to the other screens with aerial views, and his worst fears solidified. It was the plateau¡ªthe very spot where Tremorion had fallen. The same plateau where they¡¯d last left Brian and Dawn.

    Rose gripped his arm, her fingers digging into him. ¡°It¡¯s them.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes snapped back to the Hollow Cam. The blurry image at the center sharpened into focus¡ªa hunched form crouched low, and another standing tall with their back to the Hollow.

    ¡°Turn around, Dawn!¡± TJ yelled, charging up to the screen and pounding on it with his fist. ¡°Turn around, damn it! Run!¡± The desperation in his voice sliced through Joe like a knife.

    The party chat buzzed with frantic messages, but none of them were from Dawn or Brian. Around them, ascenders¡¯ attention ping-ponged between the screens and their own private chats.

    ¡°Look, that screen changed.¡± an ascender pointed out, elbowing his friend. ¡°Another Hollow Cam.¡±

    Joe¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he followed the guy¡¯s gaze. The ascender was right¡ªthree, no, four more screens switched from aerial view to Hollow Cam, all closing in from the same direction as the first.

    Nerus, please help her, Joe pleaded silently, his eyes locked on the screens.

    The Hollows stopped about ten paces from Dawn and Brian, their gray forms trembling with barely-contained hunger. Joe willed them to make a noise, any noise, to alert Dawn to their presence. The party chat exploded with more urgent messages, but still nothing from Dawn or Brian.

    Why the hell hadn¡¯t they seen them yet?

    Dawn¡¯s shoulders tensed, the movement so subtle Joe almost missed it. But as he zoomed in, he saw the shift in her stance, her hands starting to glow with fiery energy. Seconds later, Brian paused, stowing a bottle as he tilted his head toward her, still crouched low.

    The moment stretched out, painfully long, like a high-noon showdown in one of those old gunslinger movies, fingers twitching, waiting to draw.

    Then, in an explosion of motion, Dawn spun around, her eyes blazing like molten embers as she unleashed a fiery geyser from her hands.

    Brian jumped to his feet, his eyes wide with horror as his voice echoed through the speakers. ¡°There¡¯s too many of them!¡±

    A wall of searing white heat filled the Hollow Cams. They flickered to black, and when the screens switched back to aerial view, Joe¡¯s stomach lurched. His heart pounded so hard he thought it might burst from his chest.

    Rose¡¯s grip on his arm tightened, her nails digging in so deep it hurt. Joe placed a calming hand on hers, trying to ease her panic and his pain.

    TJ was still closest to the screens, his eyes wild and full of helpless fury, like a bull ready to charge. ¡°What are they waiting for? Run, damn it!¡±

    But the aerial shots showed just how futile that would be.

    ¡°There¡¯s nowhere for them to run¡­¡± Rose whispered, her hand falling limply to her side. Joe shook out his sore arm and wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him, but her eyes never left the screen.

    Dawn sent wave after wave of fire at the Hollows, but it only temporarily blinded them. The physical attacks didn¡¯t even scratch their undead forms, and Brian¡¯s alchemy bolts were just as useless. The Hollows tightened around them, closing in like an undead noose.

    Brian kept his crossbow raised, his finger trembling on the trigger. ¡°We¡¯re like cornered rats.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but never underestimate a rat. That¡¯s when they¡¯re most dangerous,¡± Dawn said, pulling out her weapon, though her face betrayed the futility of her words. ¡°I¡¯m a changeling, you¡¯re human. We both know what needs to happen¡­I¡¯m not letting you take a time penalty for taking your own life.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t let you do that, Dawn. This is my fault¡ªI got too caught up collecting Titan Tears and didn¡¯t factor in that Hollows could ambush us.¡± He aimed the crossbow at her, point-blank.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking dare!¡± she shouted, the force of her words spurring the Hollows into action. But Brian¡¯s bolt hit her first, right between the eyes. She crumpled to the ground, and the Hollows swiped at empty air where she¡¯d been only seconds before.

    Brian¡¯s hands trembled, grief and resolve battling in his eyes. He turned the crossbow on himself and closed his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s been an honor, guys. Don¡¯t judge me too harshly. See you in another life.¡±

    A Hollow obscured the view, its twisted form seething with dark energy. The frenzy ended quickly, the Hollows shuffling away, their madness passed on like it hadn¡¯t ever been present. Notifications began popping up on the screens, just as Dawn reappeared in the common room, gasping as her respawn token activated.

    Rose rushed to steady her before she collapsed, her muffled sobs breaking Joe¡¯s heart while the others stared in stunned silence.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Joe¡¯s attention snapped back to the screen where Brian had been only moments before. It was now a black abyss, but TJ placed a hand on it, as if he could reach through the screen to his friend. He hung his head, shoulders slumped in defeat.

    Suddenly, one screen flickered back to life. On it, Brian stood alone with a blank stare, his orange clothes turned to a dull gray. Above his head, a ¡°GORED¡± notification hovered.

    ¡°How come his respawn token didn¡¯t activate like Dawn¡¯s?¡± an ascender asked his friend, the confusion clear in his voice.

    ¡°Remember what the Lich said? There¡¯s a penalty for killing yourself. Looks like there¡¯s also one if you kill a member of your party.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes softened, reading the same notification as Joe.

    TJ stepped back, moving to stand beside Joe, his voice low and pained. ¡°Why the hell did he do that? He¡¯s a clever guy, but that was just¡­stupid.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no stupidity here.¡± Joe shook his head, his voice quiet. ¡°Brian knew exactly what he was doing. He chose to save Dawn, knowing he was condemning himself to being gored.¡±

    Brian stood on the screen like a ghost, but there was a flicker in his eyes that gave Joe a shred of hope.

    He turned to the others. ¡°There¡¯s still time. He hasn¡¯t gone full Hollow yet.¡±

    Brian¡¯s image faded, replaced by a blank screen. At first, there was nothing but the broken, mechanical laughter Joe had heard once before. His blood ran cold as the screen resolved into a grotesque clown mask, its white face stark against the black background. The mask grinned with sinister delight, its eyes inky pools of malice. The laughter continued, looping like a demented recording, as words typed across the screen:

    How was that for edge-of-your-seat entertainment? Much more exciting than battling boring titans on every floor. That gets old really fast. The Lich wants you to believe this is a fair game, but you all know by now that this is not a level playing field. We are all clowns, but no one is laughing except the Lich.

    The screen cut to black.

    We are all clowns¡­the phrase hit Joe hard. The Time Hacker hadn¡¯t said you are all clowns¡ªhe¡¯d said we. That subtle shift turned mockery into unity. Like V for Vendetta, this wasn¡¯t some lone rebel¡¯s fight. It was a rallying cry to unite against the real enemy.

    The Lich.

    A crackling, guttural sound of pure rage erupted from the speakers, making Joe wince as it echoed through the room.

    All the screens filled with the image of the Lich, struggling to compose himself, his ragged yellow-gray tongue licked his mouth. ¡°That was fake.¡± He wiped his temple with a bony hand as if clearing a drop of sweat. ¡°A fake and illegal broadcast, I might add. Poppy and my system guardians are hard at work narrowing down the culprit. Won¡¯t be long now.¡±

    Dawn rubbed her temples as if the Lich¡¯s words physically hurt her. ¡°Wow, that was¡­something. I think I lost a few brain cells just listening.¡± She stared at the Lich, her eyes narrowing as she leaned back, crossing her arms. ¡°Not a single word of what you said even flirted with making sense. In fact, I¡¯m pretty sure everyone here is now officially dumber for having heard it.¡±

    TJ began to clap, and others joined in.

    ¡°As a game show host, you suck balls,¡± Dawn said with divine righteousness in her tone. ¡°May Nerus have mercy on your wretched soul because when the time comes, I sure won¡¯t.¡±

    The Lich leaned closer, his hollow eyes dominating the screen. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡±

    ¡°Please! I¡¯m a Paladin¡­I don¡¯t make threats.¡± She waved him off, her confident smile turning into something more sinister. ¡°I make promises. Promises I always keep.¡±

    The Lich pulled back, his eyes burning with hatred as he waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your time listening to the rantings of a hysterical woman. Ascender ###, you should lie down¡ªyour mind is playing tricks on you after that last respawn. Probably a time-sucking blood parasite got you killed out there on floor two.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m upset, not hysterical.¡± Dawn¡¯s fists clenched. ¡°I know exactly what happened to me and Brian. What happened out there. My friend Brian is in trouble, and you¡¯re playing catch-up to a masked clown.¡± She stormed over to the nearest screen and smashed it with her fist, the glass cracking outward.

    Penalty: Five years.

    She shook her hand, wincing but satisfied. ¡°That was worth it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this nonsense¡ªI¡¯m too busy. Accept your friend¡¯s fate and move on,¡± the Lich snapped, his voice taking on a whiny edge.

    ¡°Now who¡¯s being hysterical?¡± TJ muttered, shaking his head.

    Joe nodded, his mind racing through reasons the Lich hadn¡¯t stopped the time hacker¡¯s broadcast sooner. He might have access to everything, but maybe not to our thoughts all the time. And what about his phylactery? Does the Lich need downtime? Is that why he never appears in person, only on screen?

    Dawn¡¯s voice pulled him from his thoughts. ¡°I¡¯m not moving on until I take on Brian¡¯s time debt. It should be allowed¡ªwhat happened to him wasn¡¯t part of your game. If it was, it wouldn¡¯t have been an illegal broadcast, now would it?¡±

    ¡°That matters little.¡± The Lich sneered. ¡°You¡¯re too late. The system says once you¡¯re GORED, you can¡¯t do any transactions in time currency. You¡¯re locked into a countdown timer, and once it¡¯s triggered, your user interface is gone.¡±

    The blue flame in Joe¡¯s chest flared hotter, a mix of anger and admiration fueling its presence. ¡°Is it just me, or does the Lich want her out of the picture because he can¡¯t undermine her? She sure knows how to speak her mind. I¡¯m actually impressed.¡±

    Joe arched his brow. It took you long enough to notice.Thought you were smart enough to read people quicker than this. So, are you buttering me up, or do you really mean it?

    The blue flame laughed. ¡°I mean it. I might be vague at times, but I never lie. The Lich definitely wants her gone¡ªin case you missed it, despite those high intelligence stats of yours. And let¡¯s be real, you¡¯re still pretty weak. You¡¯ll be down another party member if you¡¯re not careful.¡±

    Joe shivered at the thought, a chill racing through him. More and more, it was becoming clear that the game was at the mercy of the Lich¡¯s whims. The thought of what he might do to get rid of Dawn gnawed at him. But when Joe looked at her, even after everything she¡¯d just been through, she was still standing tall, defiance blazing in her eyes as she stared down the Lich. That ignited something fierce in Joe¡ªhope, and a determination to stand by her.

    ¡°Thanks for the heads-up but Dawn can handle herself and won the favor of a god,¡± Joe whispered to the flame. ¡°I¡¯ve got her back if she ever needs it.¡±

    ***

    Joe leaned back in the booth, rolling his shoulder to ease his tired muscles. The day had been rough, and it was starting to show.

    Across from him, Rose paused her chat with Dawn and tapped the tin of healing pellets on the table. ¡°If you¡¯ve got a shoulder injury, take another one of Brian¡¯s healing pellets.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not injured, just sore after using my butterfly knives¡­¡± Joe trailed off, not really wanting to finish that sentence, but everyone knew what he meant.

    TJ, who had been keeping an intimidating eye on any ascenders who looked like they might bother them, shifted his focus to Joe. ¡°Yeah, those blades aren¡¯t meant to go all stabby-stabby on a scaled hide as thick as Scaldera¡¯s. Even I found it tough with BK. Hope you got some skill level-ups after that, like I did.¡±

    Joe winced as he eased his shoulder again.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be a hero, Joe. Take a damn pellet,¡± Dawn chimed in, her voice firm. Brian can always¡­¡± She hesitated, her voice wavering.

    Rose jumped in, adding strength to Dawn¡¯s sentiment. ¡°Exactly, Dawn. We¡¯ll have Brian back with us in no time, well before we run out of these pellets. I¡¯m sure Grizzle can¡¯t wait to get working with them in the crafting and alchemy room.¡±

    Joe glanced over as Ryan approached, having finished shooing away a busybody ascender with his signature friendly smile.

    ¡°That¡¯s the last of them,¡± Ryan said, leaning against the booth. ¡°The rest are losing interest in gossiping now. I used my Confession skill to get them thinking about their life choices, avoiding past mistakes and future guilt. Hopefully, it¡¯ll keep them from wasting more time on floor two.¡±

    Joe had noticed before that Ryan¡¯s conversations with some ascenders seemed oddly private¡ªhis Confession skill must¡¯ve created a sound-suppressing bubble, like the ones he¡¯d seen in a church confessional.

    ¡°Thanks, bro. You¡¯ve got more patience than a saint.¡± Joe nodded his appreciation.

    TJ scowled. ¡°I couldn¡¯t handle those nosy, mouth-breathing idiots pretending they care about us, coming at us with more questions than an Elvish Inquisition.¡±

    Dawn flexed her hand, popping open the tin of healing pellets and taking one. ¡°Yeah, I agree with TJ. You¡¯re a saint, Ryan. There¡¯d be more casualties on this floor if that walking tabloid over there came near me. I bet the rising mana levels will give them another reason to get the hell off this floor, especially the ones with lower MP.¡±

    Ryan rubbed his brow, a hint of a strain showing on his face. ¡°That might explain the headache. And you guys are too kind. I chose the priest class because it fits well with my last life, but I promise you, I¡¯m no saint. Last time I checked, saints don¡¯t go around killing things with guns.¡±

    Joe chuckled, thinking of one of his favorite graphic novel characters, Saint of Killers.

    TJ grinned, clearly on the same wavelength. ¡°The bar for sainthood in my world was set pretty low. Back home, you got sainthood if you survived a week without stabbing someone in the back.¡±

    Ryan laughed, choosing to take that as a compliment. ¡°Thanks, I think? Anyway, I¡¯d better get back. Gaia¡¯s text-yelling in all caps in our party chat that Luna and Grizzle are doing something ridiculous again, and she¡¯s threatening to tear a hole in the fabric of reality if I don¡¯t return right now.¡±

    Joe stood and shook Ryan¡¯s hand. ¡°Really appreciate you fielding all those questions, so we had some time to process what happened. See you soon¡ªare you heading up to floor three?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll hang on for a little while, at least until the mana rises. I don¡¯t want the weakest of my group getting mana poisoning. I¡¯ll send updates through the alliance chat.¡±

    The earlier buzz and excitement had faded as more ascenders exited toward the floor three elevator. Joe noticed Dawn staring towards the entryway back onto floor two. He moved around the booth, and Rose slipped past him, standing up.

    ¡°I warmed a seat for you,¡± she said, glancing at Dawn before smiling at Joe and giving him a subtle wink. Joe¡¯scheeks warmed, but he was grateful Dawn didn¡¯t seem to notice.

    ¡°Anyone hungry?¡± Rose asked.

    Swift as a hunting snake, TJ shot up and joined her. ¡°I am. I¡¯ll give you a hand. Let¡¯s give the food and drink machine one more workout before we see what sweet upgrades it has on the next floor.¡±

    Dawn barely registered them leaving or Joe sitting down next to her.

    ¡°You okay, Dawn?¡± he asked, trying to keep the uncertainty out of his voice.

    ¡°Huh? What did you say?¡± Dawn looked at him with a tired smile. He could tell it wasn¡¯t physical¡ªit was more about the hurt inside.

    ¡°Just checking in to see if everything¡¯s okay¡­ I mean, I know it¡¯s not okay, but if you want to talk¡­ We¡¯re going to get Brian back before¡­ You know.¡±

    Gods, I suck at this.

    It must¡¯ve shown on his face because Dawn patted his hand, the warmth of her touch stopping his rambling. ¡°I know.¡± They stared at each other, the background noise fading as if they were in their own chapel of confession. ¡°I know you¡¯re worrying, but please don¡¯t. I knew what I was doing when I gave the lich a tongue-lashing earlier.¡±

    Trying to recover, Joe grinned. ¡°I wasn¡¯t worried¡ªI was impressed.¡±

    ¡°If you say so.¡± Dawn forced an empty smile, her tone flat. ¡°I got a tip-off from Nerus that I¡¯m a liability. I know the lich has it in for me, but he¡¯s going to play nice.¡±

    Joe¡¯s gaze darted around, knowing the lich could be listening. Maybe that was Dawn¡¯s point¡ªshe wanted him to hear. He took a breath, waiting for her to continue, as the others returned with a tray full of food and drink.

    ¡°Eat up, you¡¯re at your auntie¡¯s.¡± TJ sat down the tray in front of them and smiled at Rose''s confused expression. ¡°Saying from my world.¡±

    ¡°I see, seems like you came from a big family, and social eating and drinking was a big part of it.¡± Rose slid into the booth seat, setting down a few napkins.

    TJ stuffed what looked like cooked chicken claws into his mouth, his words garbled by his eagerness to talk and eat at the same time. ¡°You have no idea¡ªonce you survive being a hatchling and not getting eaten by your siblings, they pull out all the stops with family festivals. Great way to keep the clans fed and happy.¡±

    ¡°What did we miss?¡± Rose asked, curious, while lazily swirling the contents of her drink with a silver spoon.

    Dawn played with the food in front of her but didn¡¯t eat. ¡°I was telling Joe how my pal Nerus had a little heart-to-heart with the Lich Master. Seems like rodents are very good at finding things. They have a nose for sniffing out phylacteries, which is¡­¡±

    TJ dropped the chicken claw back into his bowl. ¡°Where is it? Did he tell you?¡±

    Dawn gave his bowl a questioning look, her lip downturned as he sucked juices from his fingers. She handed him a napkin. ¡°Here, before you soil your hoodie.¡±

    With surprising politeness, TJ took the napkin and blotted his mouth, scowling as his fingers stuck to the napkin. ¡°Go on,¡± he said, flinging his hand trying to shake it free.

    ¡°Nerus claims he knows where the lich¡¯s phylactery is, but he has certain boundaries he¡¯s not willing to cross. The nature of our current oath means he can¡¯t share the location, but he assured me it¡¯s not simply a rumor¡ªit definitely exists.¡±

    TJ narrowed his eyes, finally rid of the paper napkin thanks to Rose pouring water into a bowl so he could cleanse his hands. ¡°So, you¡¯re a bit vague on how Nerus found it. Dish the dirt.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no dirt. He¡¯s the god of rodents, and they get around in more ways than one.¡± Dawn smirked. ¡°Glad he¡¯s on our side, or it would be game over for me.¡±

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t agree more, and he seems like a nice guy.¡± Joe tugged a cord of his hoodie. He hadn¡¯t had many real-life experiences with gods, but from the novels he¡¯d read, many of them were assholes or high-strung like Gaia. Dawn¡¯s choice to become a Paladin seemed to be a power trade off¡ªgain the power of a decent god, but place a target on your back for the one who thinks he¡¯s a god.

    ¡°My old man used to say it¡¯s a tough gig being a god.¡± TJ said. ¡°All those worshippers making requests, fickle belief, towers of worship to defend, and immortality? He said it¡¯s not all it¡¯s cracked up to be. Short lives can be a blessing¡ªcandles that burn half as long burn twice as bright.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s not make our lives any shorter.¡± Dawn pushed her food away. ¡°Those hollows are going to be a recurring threat, and with the Time Hacker adding his own flavor of anarchy, like he¡¯s giving power back to the people, we need to figure out what the hell we¡¯re going to do before we reach the next floor while also figuring out how to save Brian.¡±

    Joe dropped the cord and straightened his posture, mood brightening with hope. ¡°I know exactly who we need to talk to.¡±

 Chapter 32: Threads of Time

    Silence of the second floor Titan Hall, gave Joe the peace of mind, out of earshot from any ascenders who had yet to adjust to the mana levels of the third floor. He leaned forward on his elbows, the warm, pulsing wall supporting his lower back almost seemed to relax his sore muscles. He stared at his interface.

    ¡°Are you sure he¡¯s only got twenty-three hours?¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip, twenty-four hours from the time GORED, then turn hollow. Scary!¡± Poppy¡¯s 8-bit avatar skidded across his vision.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to save him and¡ª¡±

    Poppy shrieked. ¡°You be dead, Joe.¡± Her tail swished as she came to a sudden stop. ¡°No saving him. His time is gone, all gone.¡± She paused, glancing off his screen before looking at him. ¡°Crystalline jackpot grows and grows¡­it makes Lich Master happy.¡±

    Joe¡¯s chest tightened, his eyes narrowed. ¡°There has to be something, I¡¯m not going to let Brian die like that.¡±

    ¡°No worry, his soul fades away each hour that passes. Poof, he be gone in no time. Maybe you sleep, so you not be sad.¡±

    He shook his head, exhaling. ¡°You¡¯re not understanding. I¡¯m going to save him before he turns hollow. Can we drop a pin to track him on Dawn¡¯s map?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s avatar sped across the screen. ¡°Like a hollow, he can¡¯t be seen by the system.¡± She glanced to the side before stepping closer to the screen, only her head visible. ¡°If you go to where he was GORED, he tends to stay there. No wander until he become full hollow.¡±

    Joe leaned back. Finally, he¡¯d made some progress with Poppy. ¡°That¡¯s great news.¡±

    ¡°No-no. Not worth the risk going back for him.¡± She stepped back, eyes enlarged. ¡°You might die, Joe.¡±

    ¡°Ohana.¡± Joe gave her a weak smile. ¡°But that¡¯s what you do for friends.¡± He watched as Poppy blinked a few times, the thought of his sister crying over one of those movies flooding his mind. The movie never really got to him like it did her. It wasn¡¯t until he repeated the word Ohana to Emma when she got sick that he teared up.

    Poppy scratched her head with a claw.

    ¡°Family.¡± Joe nodded, letting the memory fade away.

    Her tail swished slowly back and forth. ¡°Are we family?¡±

    A sharp, heated pang in his chest shifted as he strained to feel the blue flame¡¯s presence. Are you upset?

    His chest burned, lessening the sharp pang to a dull ache. ¡°I¡¯m not crying. You¡¯re crying. My immortal bloodline doesn¡¯t have time to cry or bleed.¡±

    Joe laughed out loud, making Poppy quirk an eyebrow. He gestured with his hand, though she couldn¡¯t see him. ¡°No, no, not you¡­.something on my mind.¡±

    The blue flame chuckled. ¡°More like an accessory to your soul.¡±

    ¡°I like it¡­Ohh-haan-naah.¡± Poppy¡¯s voice drew out the word as if she were downloading it into her vocabulary.

    ¡°It takes you a while to learn new things?¡± Joe tilted his head back.

    ¡°Sometimes, if the tower ley lines not working together.¡±

    Joe leaned forward. He¡¯d heard about some ley lines before, but thought it was all myth and legends, at least from where he grew up they weren¡¯t talked about. ¡°What are the ley lines in this tower?¡±

    ¡°Oh, no. I can¡¯t say more. That is not in my program. Lich Master be mad.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Joe tapped his thigh. ¡°I¡¯d bet there¡¯d be a book in the alchemy room with notes on the tower ley lines. Brian would know where to look¡­¡± Joe trailed off as the blank stare from the hollow cam blocked his thoughts.

    Standing, Joe clutched his hoodie as heat flared inside his chest, the blue flame seeming to double in size. ¡°As powerful as I am now, you have no idea who I was before we found each other.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve had this conversation before,¡± Joe said, casually eyeing the silhouette of the third-floor boss, a massive titan towering in the distance. ¡°All that boasting about immortal bloodlines and acting like you¡¯re all-powerful¡ªit screams ''notions of grandeur.'' So come on, don¡¯t lie. Tell me your name. And while you¡¯re at it, get off that pedestal you put yourself on, because, newsflash, you¡¯re stuck inside me¡ª¡±

    ¡°Never ever say that last part again. I tell you what, impress me enough, and I¡¯ll tell you more about me.¡±

    Joe shook his head, chuckling at the blue flame¡¯s evasiveness, as he strolled up to and around the almost angular form of the boss. ¡°You¡¯re being vague again. How about this¡ªonce I rescue Brian, you tell me your name.¡±

    ¡°You running off on a side quest that¡¯s bound to get you killed is hardly impressive. Irritating and na?ve as she is, Poppy was right. Forget about Brian. Plenty more alchemists in the tower; you could always poach Grizzle from Ryan.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a big fat no on all counts. Not looking to earn the ''Asshole of the Year'' title, thanks. Right now, I don¡¯t have time to argue. We¡¯ll come back to this, okay?¡±

    The blue flame didn¡¯t answer, but its presence gradually faded away.

    Joe took the silence as a small victory and refocused on gathering every scrap of information he could on the next-floor titan, Mecha-King Apollyon. The thing had King Ghidorah written all over it. If copyright infringement reached all corners of the universe, the Lich Master would be drowning in lawsuits. The thought of that smug bastard in some multiverse court facing charges made Joe laugh out loud.

    An alliance chat message popped up from Ryan, short and straight to the point:

    Ryan: We need to talk. Orange Zone common room now.

    Joe quickly averted his gaze from lingering fellow ascenders who looked like they wanted to chat, recognizing one as the guy Dawn had called a walking tabloid earlier. He picked up his pace, activating Shadow Step to make himself less noticeable. His mind raced faster than his steps, trying to figure out why Ryan was being so urgent. Ryan was usually much more polite.

    ***

    Entering the common room, Joe took a breath and let it out slowly. Ryan waved him over to a quiet booth, Gaia sitting beside him, looking like she¡¯d rather be anywhere else. Joe shot a quick message to his party, and soon, Dawn, TJ, and Rose appeared, joining him in the common room.

    ¡°You might want to sit down for this,¡± Ryan said, gesturing to the seat across from him.

    Joe slid into the booth, while TJ sat beside Gaia, causing her to shift away. Dawn remained standing, arms folded.

    Ryan scanned the room, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, before speaking. ¡°As a priest, I have certain skills that ascenders are increasingly seeking out. The further we go up this tower, the more ascenders are seeking confidential confessions.¡±

    Gaia snorted, her disdain obvious. ¡°A man-made practice I¡¯ve always thought mundane and ridiculous. If you mortals could see the stains on your souls, you¡¯d realize no priest can absolve your past transgressions, not even a magical gun-toting one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m there to ease their burden and give them the choice to move on and leave guilt behind.¡± Ryan glanced at Gaia, his gaze remaining soft despite his stern tone. ¡°Living in the past or fearing the future¡ªthat¡¯s what¡¯s futile and ridiculous. All we truly have is this moment, right now. I make no promises to absolve them of their sins¡ªjust offer a nonjudgmental ear and a conduit to the god they believe in.¡±

    ¡°False platitudes.¡± Gaia leaned back against the booth.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not here to get into a philosophical debate.¡± Joe set his hands on the table. ¡°Just give it to me straight¡ªdid you hear something during one of these confessions that can help us save Brian?¡±

    Ryan nodded.

    ¡°Then what are you waiting for? Old age? Spill it.¡± TJ twisted his hoodie string and let it unravel into a spinning tornado. ¡°Brian has less than twenty-four hours before he turns hollow for good.¡±

    ¡°There are limitations on my confidentiality. I can only take a single person¡¯s confession at a time, and I cannot speak to anyone about what was said.¡± Ryan rubbed his forearm.

    ¡°Write it in the party chat.¡± Dawn raised a finger, arms still crossed.

    ¡°If he does that, there¡¯ll be a record in the system that the Lich can see. It¡¯s like email tags back home¡ªkeywords that act like red flags. As soon as you type and send them, you¡¯re under the watchful eye of government security.¡± Joe recalled, thinking back to how his own AI butler, taking liberties, had led to a whole heap of trouble that ultimately got him killed.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°Then you¡¯ll just have to show us.¡± Dawn¡¯s fiery hair fell forward as she locked her gaze on Ryan.

    Ryan shook his head with a hint of sadness. ¡°I wish I could, but the Time Hacker is currently unreachable.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t voice his thoughts, knowing the Lich could be listening. Wherever the Time Hacker was, he probably wasn¡¯t bound by mana poisoning, so he could be anywhere in the tower.

    Gaia¡¯s interest piqued at the mention. ¡°Why all this talk about the Time Hacker? Joe and his little band of friends are more interested in finding the one who got himself gored.¡±

    ¡°His name is Brian,¡± Dawn snapped, her eyes flaring a brilliant gold like she was ready to attack. ¡°And he did it to save me. Sure, that¡¯s an alien concept to you¡ªan ex-goddess who never had friends worth a damn. If you did, they might have tried to save your sorry ass.¡±

    ¡°Your mortal mind can¡¯t fathom the responsibilities of a god, so don¡¯t preach to me, child.¡± Gaia stretched her arms above her head, her bracelet peeking out from her sleeve¡¯s hoodie. ¡°I was around long before your ancestors were crapping in their hands and rubbing it in their faces.¡±

    ¡°And yet here we all are,¡± Joe interjected, trying to steer the conversation back on track. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the connection between the Time Hacker and our predicament with Brian.¡±

    Ryan gestured to the screens, black as voids. ¡°The ''E'' in ''GORED'' stands for ''ejected,'' meaning the system no longer recognizes you. You¡¯ve lost access to your inventory, and your time currency ascends to the immortal jackpot. I can¡¯t tell you where the Time Hacker is, but if you need to talk to me in confidence, know I am always here for you, Joe.¡± There was a hidden meaning in Ryan¡¯s eyes. ¡°What I can say is that those hollow cams allowed us to see through their eyes, and that image was projected onto our screens. If the Time Hacker takes credit for that, then he can interact with the gored. If he can interact with the gored, he might know a way to restore their time currency so they¡¯re no longer in overdraft.¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°So you¡¯re saying he might know how to reverse them being ejected from the system?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but only if it¡¯s done before they turn fully hollow. After that, their soul bank is gone¡ªthere¡¯s nowhere to deposit their time currency.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then we need to find this Time Hacker. You can¡¯t tell us what he said, but can you tell us who knows the information?¡± TJ clenched his fist.

    ¡°If you¡¯re thinking of punching the information out of him, then no.¡±

    TJ cracked his knuckles. ¡°I can be nice, but if they piss me off¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Lucky,¡± Ryan interjected.

    ¡°Oh.¡± TJ¡¯s hardened stare softened, fists releasing as if the fight he¡¯d been hyping himself up for completely drained out of him.

    Joe wondered if it had something to do with Lucky¡¯s Scavenger¡¯s trait or if Andras had sent the poor guy out scouting.

    ¡°I wish I could tell you more,¡± Ryan said, ¡°but what I can say is that Lucky is riddled with guilt, despite the charismatic thrall Andras has over him. He knows there¡¯s no judgment in confession. If any of you ever have a burden of guilt, I¡¯d be happy to hear your confession.¡± He looked pointedly at Joe.

    ¡°After killing Scaldera, I am wracked with guilt. When can we talk?¡± Joe said, playing along.

    ¡°How about right now?¡± Ryan placed a hand on the table.

    Gaia shot up. ¡°Come on, you lot, let¡¯s leave them in peace.¡± She strode away, and Dawn, TJ, and Rose gave Joe supportive smiles before drifting away, TJ muttering something about getting a snack.

    An eerie silence fell over them like a blanket.

    ¡°I offer an invitation to confess, to ease your burden,¡± Ryan said with a solemn tone.

    A system notification appeared.

    [Priest Ryan has offered to hear your confession. Do you wish to proceed? Yes or No?]

    Joe selected yes.

    Ryan raised his hand, his voice calm. ¡°In the name of the god or gods you follow, this is a sacred and confidential space for you to confess what¡¯s troubling your soul. When you¡¯re ready, follow the system text prompt.¡±

    Joe signaled he was ready, and the text prompt appeared.

    [Please choose a god or gods you worship.]

    A scroll bar appeared beside a long list of gods, alphabetized. Some he recognized from his world, others he didn¡¯t. He hadn¡¯t been raised in any particular faith, but his grandad had always helped out as a handyman at local churches and chapels, so Joe was no stranger to what they looked like inside. He¡¯d always found them to be little oases of calm when he went along to lend a hand. He quickly selected one, and another prompt appeared.

    [How long has it been since your last confession?]

    Joe scratched his jaw, wondering why the hell that mattered, but figured it had to do with his choice of god. He didn''t know if it could tell if he was lying.

    ¡°It has been a long time since my last confession,¡± he said, hoping it wasn¡¯t too vague.

    A shimmer of golden light formed around them, and Ryan¡¯s eyes glowed to match, almost like an aura surrounded him. A feeling of calm settled in Joe¡¯s heart, knowing he could trust Ryan with his deepest secrets and that they would stay between the two of them. He almost felt lighter in that knowledge like an unseen burden had already been lifted.

    Ryan clasped his hands together as if he was about to pray. ¡°Is there anything you would like to confess?¡±

    ¡°I want to kill that bastard Lich,¡± Joe said, testing the boundaries. A ripple shimmered over their protective bubble.

    Ryan nodded. ¡°You¡¯re testing the confidentiality. I¡¯ve done that tons of times already¡ªit¡¯s airtight. Believe you me, if the Lich heard Lucky¡¯s confession, it would be game over for the Time Hacker.¡±

    ¡°But the Lich could have overheard our earlier conversation, naming Lucky and that he knows where the Time Hacker is. Won¡¯t he force it out of Lucky or kill him? He doesn¡¯t have the protection of the Rat God.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t he?¡± Ryan said with a grin.

    ¡°So you¡¯re telling me Dawn¡¯s god is offering him protection?¡±

    ¡°All I know is that Dawn is protected from the Lich killing her, and for now, anyone who worships Nerus cannot be killed by the Lich. It¡¯s not total immunity from death by other causes, just those engineered unfairly by the Lich.¡±

    ¡°Okay, that makes me feel a teensy bit better.¡± Joe nodded for him to continue.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad. Now, let¡¯s get down to business. If anyone asks, you spoke of your guilt about killing Scaldera, and I absolved you of your sins in whatever terms make sense to the religion you follow¡ªor pretend to follow. Since I can¡¯t tell you where the Time Hacker is, we need to find a way that I can message it to you without it being intercepted by the system.¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°I know a bit about that. I built my own system with encryption keys. With Poppy¡¯s help, I¡¯ve made minor adjustments to how we interact with the system here and championed the status inclusion, but we had to go through the Lich.¡±

    ¡°Have you any ideas?¡± Ryan¡¯s tone was hopeful.

    ¡°According to Poppy, I can¡¯t access the source code, and if she does anything, the Lich will be mad. So, instead of hacking the system, I suggest a workaround patch. There are quantum threads, and I know a little bit about quantum entanglement, which allows a message to be received the instant it¡¯s sent. The technology was in its infancy in my world, but here we have magic¡ªand Gaia, who can sense those threads. This tower is a living battery of sorts. I have to talk to Gaia to see if what I think in theory will work in practice.¡±

    ¡°Well, go talk to her, but be careful with your words. Then have her talk to me, and I will explain everything to her.¡±

    Ryan bowed his head. ¡°Go with the mercy of your god if you so wish it¡ªyou are absolved of your transgressions. May peace and love flow through you and reflect onto others.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Joe said, trying to find the right words. ¡°The same to you.¡±

    The shimmer popped, and the muted sounds around them sprang back to life. Joe made a beeline for Gaia, who looked like she was about to destroy the food and drinks machine.

    ¡°Quick question for you,¡± Joe said, catching her attention.

    She broke her gaze from the machine like it owed her money, a taut smile forming as she looked at Joe. ¡°They¡¯re the only type of questions I like. Shoot away.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re familiar with Earth physics and what I would call quantum entanglement. Do the ley lines here work on a similar principle?¡±

    She pinched her brow. ¡°QRL stands for Quantum Resonance Level. The ley lines are made from quantum threads. There are plenty of books on it in the alchemy room, or you could ask Brian¡­¡± A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she was too proud to apologize. ¡°Anyway, you can see I¡¯m rather busy here, so what¡¯s your point?¡±

    ¡°Just fascinated by your power to see these quantum threads. Can you interact with them?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course. I¡¯m a sorceress with a special affinity for Earth quantum threads, but it¡¯s doing nothing to help me make a decent cup of coffee in this dive. Now, if there isn¡¯t anything else for you to fanboy over, tell TJ to shower¡ªhe smells like the sewers his kind crawled out of.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t need a coffee. A confession with Ryan would really help calm and center you.¡± Joe gestured towards Ryan, who shot her a meaningful look along with a friendly wave.

    Gaia looked like she wanted to slap Joe for even suggesting she skip the coffee, but Ryan¡¯s insistent beckoning softened her resolve.

    Joe let out a breath as she walked away and went to join TJ and Dawn, while Ryan and Gaia spoke under the confidence of his confession bubble. He had every bit of confidence that Ryan would explain why Joe had been so interested in talking to her about quantum entanglement and her ability to see threads. He would also tell her that Joe would need her help to send secret quantum messages using those threads. Ryan would be the facilitator between the two since they couldn¡¯t speak directly about their plans. It was a bit of a juggling act, but it was possible¡ªdesperation was the mother of invention, after all.

    Several hours later, Gaia had schooled Joe on what she saw on floor two and how she could manipulate those threads. That was all the information he needed to move to the next step.

    ***

    ¡°Hey Poppy, I¡¯ve been thinking. Our alliance chat is pretty limited¡ªfeels like we¡¯re sending messages through a pager from the ¡®90s. What if we do a little patch upgrade to increase the character limit? You know, make it easier for everyone to communicate effectively, especially during raids and big ops. We¡¯d be able to send more detailed strategies without having to cut our sentences short. I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯ll make things smoother all around.¡±

    He kept his tone light, masking the real intention behind the upgrade, knowing Poppy would focus on the practical benefits without questioning the deeper motives.

    Poppy, ever eager to help, beamed. ¡°Poppy wants to help, but no touching source code. Can ask Lich?¡±

    ¡°No, no, Poppy. He¡¯s got enough to deal with, with that Time Hacker running around. I have an idea¡ªa clever workaround. No direct changes, just a little adjustment using Gaia¡¯s quantum thread sense. It¡¯s like adding an extra layer on top¡­¡± Joe trailed off, not adding that it would be totally invisible to the system.

    ¡°Hmm, sounds tricky? Poppy wants to help Joe and not make Lich mad. He¡¯s already really, really mad about Time Hacker.¡± She danced on the spot and spun around superhero-style, a fedora and 8-bit sunglasses appearing on her like she was going incognito.

    ¡°Clever,¡± Joe said with a grin. He didn¡¯t say another word¡ªlooked like Poppy had learned how to keep things from the Lich all by herself.

    Joe knew he had to be careful¡ªtinkering with the system without setting off alarms was no easy task. Instead of directly messing with the source code, he worked with Gaia to find a clever workaround.

    By using her ability to sense and manipulate quantum threads within the tower¡¯s ley lines, they created a hidden communication channel that bypassed the usual character limits in the alliance chat. He then layered this new channel onto the existing interface, making it look like a regular upgrade. The best part? The Lich would never know the difference, as everything appeared normal on the surface. It was a bit of subtle tech-magic fusion, and while it was complex, it got the job done without tripping any wires.

    After a successful test run to ensure Ryan received the message, Joe sent the burning question:

    Joe: Where can we find the Time Hacker?

 Chapter 33: Memorys Edge

    Joe barely took a breath and Ryan¡¯s response appeared in the encrypted chat.

    ¡°Only one floor more to go.¡± He smiled and checked the time clock he¡¯d set for Brian¡¯s GORED status. It¡¯d taken Joe about eight hours for everything to fall into place so he could gather the information he needed. Now, only one more titan stood in his way to unlock access to the Time Hacker and he had sixteen hours left before he¡¯d turn hollow.

    He glanced back as another message arrived.

    Ryan: Not sure where on the fourth floor, but he¡¯s there.

    Joe: For as much as he¡¯s annoyed by the lich, I think I can draw him out of hiding.

    Ryan: Nick¡¯s on his way now with supplies. Meet him at the entry door, floor two.

    Joe closed out of the alliance chat, and joined TJ, Dawn and Rose by a booth where they gathered.

    ¡°We rested in the bunks for a few.¡± Dawn handed Joe a mana potion. ¡°Since you won¡¯t have time to regenerate your mana, it¡¯s best to drink this. Brian made it extra strong for me.¡±

    Joe nodded, chugging the mana while he led them to the archway of the second floor.

    TJ rubbed the sleep from his eyes, stretched, and rolled his shoulders before typing a message into the alliance chat.

    TJ: Fourth floor, huh? Why not higher, like at the top?

    Rose: I¡¯m sure the Time Hacker has his reasons. We¡¯ll find out soon enough.

    Joe: I¡¯m glad he¡¯s no further up. We¡¯ve got to clear this floor in record time, find the Time Hacker, and convince him to help us.

    TJ: If we¡¯re short on time, I¡¯ll convince him with my fists.

    Rose: Diplomacy is best, especially when we don¡¯t know how powerful he is.

    Joe had to agree, though he couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at TJ¡¯s enthusiasm.

    Joe: We¡¯re lucky Nick will help us speed things up, leaving us more time to find the Time Hacker.

    Nick: I¡¯m ready when you are. Can one of your team join Ryan in the Green Zone to take my place while I¡¯m gone?

    Rose: I can do that.

    Joe: Thanks, Nick and Rose. Remember, everyone, keep quiet outside this chat¡ªwe¡¯re going to find Brian to pay our last respects before we move on.

    Rose gave Joe a hug. ¡°Be careful out there, and tell Brian I miss him. See him soon.¡±

    She turned to Dawn, who pulled her into a hug. When it was TJ¡¯s turn, he stood there awkwardly, like a fish out of water.

    ¡°Not big on hugs where you come from?¡± Rose raised an eyebrow and took out her staff, spritzing everyone with her cooling mist.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± TJ grumbled, scratching the back of his neck. ¡°Everyone talked loud like they were angry all the time. My folks showed their love with the amount of food they served up. Even when it was scarce, they¡¯d make a feast out of grubs, nuts, and shrubs.¡±

    Dawn gave a small nod. ¡°Let¡¯s not keep Nick waiting.¡± Her eyes darted to the door leading back to the second floor.

    After a final round of goodbyes, they went their separate ways. As Joe stepped through the entrance, his eyes widened in surprise.

    Nick stood there with a big grin on his face, but he wasn¡¯t alone. ¡°Hey guys, say hello to my little friend, Big Delta.¡±

    The velociraptor¡¯s large talon clacked against the rough stone as it bowed its head but kept its eyes locked on Joe. Flanking Big Delta were three more velociraptors, each one more intimidating than the last.

    ¡°I¡¯m not getting up on that thing.¡± TJ eyed the raptor with caution.

    ¡°How fast can you run?¡± Nick raised an eyebrow.

    TJ shrugged. ¡°Fast enough.¡±

    ¡°Well, Big D can run at a top speed of thirty miles per hour. You¡¯re human, outsider class, so I estimate even with a QRL boost, you can maybe hit fifteen miles per hour flat out. If Brian is ten miles away, we¡¯ll reach him in two and a half hours. But it¡¯s not about saving time¡ªyou¡¯re saving energy, energy you¡¯ll need to fight the big nasties we¡¯ll encounter. Understand?¡±

    TJ crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll take my chances.¡±

    Dawn rolled her eyes. ¡°Let me translate the math speak: Get your ass on that raptor now, TJ, and let¡¯s go find Brian.¡± She grabbed him by the arm, and TJ reluctantly let her lead him to the raptor, where she steadied the beast while he climbed up.

    His expression said it all¡ªhe¡¯d sell his right arm to keep both feet on the ground.

    Nick shot him a sympathetic look as he turned Big D around. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, guys, I¡¯ve got everything under control. Stick close, and your raptors will stay under my Beast Tamer area of effect.¡±

    The muscular form of the raptor beneath Joe felt strange, like riding a wild, predatory beast barely tamed by Nick¡¯s skills. The look in Big D¡¯s eyes as they picked up speed reminded Joe that this wasn¡¯t a horse¡ªit was something far more dangerous.

    Holding on for dear life, TJ¡¯s knuckles whitened as the raptor accelerated, the rush of warm air hitting him in the face. He expressed his thanks for the cooling mist effect from Rose, which still lingered on their clothes.

    For the most part, the journey was uneventful. An hour in, they passed a grove of Cinder Pines, and the raptors cawed like strangled chickens on steroids. Nick slowed his pace before grinding to a halt.

    ¡°Over there, about twenty paces,¡± Nick said, his voice low. ¡°Pack ambush, outside my area of influence.¡± He kept one hand on Big D, the other on his ax, as his raptor¡¯s predatory eyes locked onto shadowy movements ahead. An eerie sound, like children¡¯s laughter, echoed toward them, but it wasn¡¯t the sweet sound of happiness¡ªit was more like Children of the Corn creepiness.

    An explosion of movement rushed toward them, the darkness seemingly alive and coming for them. The light filtering through the canopy revealed the creatures¡¯ features as soon as Joe activated Quick Wit. They looked like hyenas the size of hairy rhinoceroses, and despite their large size, they moved with an unsettling silence.

    ¡°TJ, hold for now but be ready for some one-on-one melee,¡± Joe called out, his voice tense. Given the size of the beasts and their numbers, he hoped to hell it didn¡¯t come to that. ¡°Dawn, how about a little light show distraction?¡±

    She nodded, her hands glowing as she unleashed a fiery geyser, hitting the pack leaders head-on. Her aim was impressive, and although the beasts were fire-resistant, their eyes were, as Joe had hoped, light-sensitive. Temporarily blinded by her assault, they wavered blinking their eyes.

    The rest of the pack crashed into the blinded ones, sending them tumbling and scattering their formation into chaos with yelps of surprise.

    With sharp paws the size of dinner plates, the hyenas clawed at the earth, trying to right themselves and regain their senses. But as they locked eyes with Joe again, Nick flung his ax boomerang-style, hitting the biggest one right between the eyes. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    The impact cracked its skull open like a watermelon. It didn¡¯t stop its charge, even with blood spurting in all directions, but then its eyes flickered, and its legs gave way beneath its massive form. The beast collapsed to the ground, gnashing its jaws inches from Big D, who crowed in insult and finished it off with a powerful stomp.

    ¡°Even if they weren¡¯t extinct, I doubt velociraptors back home could do that.¡± Joe marveled as Big D removed his large talon claw from the hyena beast¡¯s shattered eye socket.

    TJ raised his BK machete, a killer look in his eyes as he prepared for the charging beasts. ¡°Now it¡¯s my turn.¡±

    Nick¡¯s arm shot out to stop him. ¡°No, wait for it¡­¡±

    TJ looked at him like he was a little nuts, but then the beasts saw their fallen pack member and slowed, their bounding strides coming to a halt. They snapped and growled but held their line.

    ¡°I took down their pack alpha.¡± Nick pointed at the fallen hyena. ¡°They¡¯re not going to attack. They¡¯ll save their energy to fight for dominance¡ªthe one who wins will be the only one to sire offspring with their harem of females.¡±

    ¡°Makes sense.¡± TJ nodded. ¡°They aren¡¯t exactly going to win anyone over with their looks.¡±

    Nick hopped off Big D and quickly looted the remains. ¡°Might not look like much, but the alpha core is an alchemist¡¯s dream. This will cheer up Grizzle.¡± Using Big D¡¯s talon, Nick helped skin the beast, packing everything away in what looked like salted banana leaves in only a few minutes.

    ¡°Let¡¯s push on.¡± Nick mounted Big D again. ¡°We¡¯ve still got four miles to go, but with the titans dead, the seismic activity is less. Still, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if this place is like the dungeons back home¡ªeverything eventually respawns, so we don¡¯t want to be caught up in that.¡±

    They rode in silence, each lost in their thoughts. The screenshot of Brian¡¯s lonely form kept running through Joe¡¯s head like a bad movie loop. ¡°Hold on, buddy, just a few more hours. Hold on.¡±

    The horizon was a deep, angry red as the floor two sun arced across the sky like a giant flaming murder ball, painting the plateau in blood orange and crimson hues. As they approached the skeletal remains of Tremorian, there was no sign of Brian¡ªuntil Joe¡¯s Quick Wit caught the shadow of movement near a boulder.

    TJ leapt from the velociraptor and rushed over, but stalled. Brian didn¡¯t seem to notice him, his gaze fixed on the ground as if searching for something.

    ¡°Hey, buddy, what you looking for?¡± TJ asked, his voice gentle but tinged with concern.

    Brian kept searching, oblivious to their presence.

    By the time Joe stood beside TJ, he¡¯d called out again, louder this time, his voice thick with hurt and anger. ¡°Brian, it¡¯s me, TJ!¡± TJ reached out, then hesitated before laying a hand on Brian¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Hey, brother, you got wax in your ears?! It¡¯s me!¡± He was practically yelling now.

    Brian looked up, his eyes dazed and unfocused. ¡°Oh, hello there,¡± he said, with no hint of recognition in his voice.

    TJ glanced at Dawn, who looked just as hurt as he did. She stepped forward, and Nick kept a watchful eye, his ax drawn.

    ¡°Do what you need to do¡ªI¡¯ll keep a lookout for hollows.¡± Nick gestured to the boulder where the velociraptors were tethered. ¡°These guys will be like eyes in the back of my head.¡±

    Joe was thankful for Nick¡¯s presence. It allowed them to fully concentrate on what to do with Brian now that they¡¯d found him. The last thing they needed was to have to trek all the way back out here if they found a cure.

    ¡°Hey, Brian,¡± Joe said, his heart aching at the sight of his friend¡¯s ashen features. ¡°Sorry it took so long for us to come back for you.¡±

    Brian¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Who¡¯s Brian?¡± He muttered something to himself, but Joe caught it. ¡°I know it¡¯s around here somewhere¡­ I¡¯ll feel much better, be able to think clearly with my vape.¡± He began to wander around the boulder, and TJ cut him off, hands raised.

    ¡°You lost your vape pen? I¡¯ll help you find it, brother,¡± TJ said, his voice strained with emotion.

    Brian looked at him with the ghost of a smile. ¡°Oh, thank you so much. Have we met? I feel like we have, but I can¡¯t seem to place you.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m TJ, and I¡¯m here to help.¡± TJ¡¯s boots kicked up dirt as he joined Brian in the futile search for the vape pen. It was stuck in his inventory, which Brian could no longer access, along with everything else in the system.

    Dawn looked pale. ¡°It¡¯s much worse than I expected. He barely knows who he is.¡±

    If it weren¡¯t for the countdown timer above Brian¡¯s head, Joe would be worried his condition had somehow accelerated.

    ¡°We can¡¯t leave him here,¡± Dawn said, biting her tongue as if remembering not to reveal their true plan. ¡°He should be near the common room, not wandering alone out here. I can¡¯t bear the thought of him turning hollow.¡±

    Joe quickly typed a message in the alliance chat.

    Joe: We found him. Going to need to bring him back to the entrance of the common zone and keep him close by.

    Ryan: You made good time. Still eleven hours left. Rose is helping with floor three preparations. It¡¯ll be all hands on deck.

    ¡°Brian, I think I know where your vape pen is,¡± Joe said, trying to get the big guy¡¯s attention. Brian shuffled over, looking expectant with widened eyes.

    ¡°Oh, thank you. Where is it?¡± Brian asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

    ¡°You left it in the common room, so let¡¯s head back.¡± Joe tried to sound upbeat, despite the situation.

    ¡°I did?¡±

    ¡°Man, you¡¯d lose your head if it wasn¡¯t screwed on.¡± TJ forced a laugh. ¡°Joe¡¯s right, that¡¯s exactly where it is. Come on, buddy, let¡¯s get out of here before we¡¯re all monster chow.¡± He pointed to the big volcano in the distance.

    Brian¡¯s form was still somewhat tangible, though his skin was taking on a translucent effect, like he was a fading photograph. He rode on the back of the velociraptor with TJ, and Joe was impressed by the raptor¡¯s surprising strength and speed.

    They faced a few skirmishes on the way back with low-level monsters, but nothing they couldn¡¯t handle with a combination of their weapons and Dawn¡¯s fiery distractions. Nick¡¯s Beast Tamer abilities took the fight out of a pack of low-level hunting dogs that looked like Komodo dragons. Their poison fangs and claws were ready to tear flesh from bone, but Nick¡¯s influence turned them into harmless pups.

    ¡°I filled their heads with visions of a nest of giant ostrich eggs.¡± Nick had grinned as the creatures scampered off to find their imagined feast.

    By the time they returned to the entrance of the common room, Brian looked agitated.

    ¡°I have to find my¡­ my¡­ what was I looking for again?¡± He landed hard on his feet, grayer than before, his skin almost translucent, the barren surroundings visible through him. He began to wander off again.

    TJ rushed after him, gently guiding him by the arm. ¡°You¡¯re looking for your vape pen, remember? It¡¯s in there.¡± He pointed to the common room entrance. ¡°You look tired¡ªrest on that boulder, and I¡¯ll go get it for you.¡±

    Brian nodded and leaned against the boulder, but several seconds later, he stroked his goatee and began to move again. ¡°Where did I put it¡­¡±

    Once again, TJ guided him back, his voice kind and soothing¡ªalmost uncharacteristic of TJ. But then he snapped his gaze to Joe, his tone turning harsh. ¡°This is useless. He can¡¯t remember anything. Maybe we should use your paracord and tie him to this damn rock.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got an easier solution,¡± Dawn said, her voice calm but determined. ¡°He¡¯ll eventually break free from the paracord, but I can bind him here with a suggestion. I¡¯ve got this level one skill that¡¯s been pretty useless until now, but since Brian¡¯s nearing hollow, his willpower is fading. I¡¯m hoping he¡¯ll be open to suggestion and give me a chance to level up the skill.¡±

    ¡°Is it some kind of mind magic?¡± TJ asked, his tone laced with concern. ¡°That could really mess things up¡ªhe¡¯s already in bad shape.¡±

    ¡°Do we have a choice?¡± Dawn shot back, not missing a beat. ¡°It¡¯s called Gnawing Doubt.¡±

    ¡°Gnawing?¡± TJ echoed, eyebrows shooting up. ¡°That name is already screaming red flags. What¡¯s left of Brian¡¯s brain isn¡¯t gonna get chewed up by your skill. He¡¯s not your lab rat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve used it before, okay?¡± Dawn said, a hint of defensiveness creeping in. ¡°It didn¡¯t do any harm¡­ and it didn¡¯t work, either.¡±

    TJ crossed his arms, still not convinced. ¡°On who? You better not say me.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin. ¡°Please, that would¡¯ve been too easy. No, I tried it on Lucky.¡±

    ¡°What the hell, Dawn? Lucky¡¯s a friend!¡± TJ growled, glaring at her.

    Joe, sensing the tension, placed a calming hand on TJ¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Relax, man. Let her explain.¡±

    TJ nodded, though he still looked like he¡¯d rather argue.

    ¡°Don¡¯t judge me, TJ.¡± Dawn locked eyes with him. ¡°It was the lesser of two evils. I thought I could loosen the thrall Andras has on him, but his charisma is off the charts¡ªand so is Lucky¡¯s loyalty, misguided as it is.¡± She squared her shoulders, not backing down.

    TJ exhaled, backing off a bit, but his eyes still held a trace of suspicion.

    Dawn didn¡¯t waste the moment. She stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Brian¡¯s forearm. ¡°Hey, Brian, you¡¯re looking for your vape pen, right? Remember?¡±

    The big guy¡¯s eyes lit up, a flicker of recognition. ¡°Yeah, my vape pen,¡± he said, patting his pockets, a frown creasing his brow. ¡°I thought I put it in my pocket, but it¡¯s not here.¡±

    ¡°No, you definitely didn¡¯t put it in your pocket.¡± Dawn held her voice steady. ¡°You told me you¡¯re going to wait right here by this boulder and not move a muscle until we return with your pen.¡±

    ¡°What if something attacks him?¡± TJ and Dawn blurted out at the same time, the concern obvious.

    Joe¡¯s tone softened, but he kept it real. ¡°He¡¯s on his way to becoming hollow, TJ. Physical attacks won¡¯t affect him anymore. His time¡¯s gone, it¡¯s headed for the immortal jackpot, so nothing can steal what¡¯s not there. He¡¯s not part of the system anymore, so monsters will simply ignore him.¡±

    Brian stared into the distance, his voice fading to a murmur, like he was talking to himself. ¡°I¡¯ll wait right here until they get back. I¡¯m a man of my word. I¡¯ll wait¡­ that¡¯s all I can do.¡±

    As Joe watched his friend struggle with the fading remnants of his former self, the word echoed in his mind. Ohana means family. And family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.

 Chapter 34: Lifes a Circus

    After a quick goodbye to Nick, Joe followed TJ and Dawn through the archway leading them to the orange zone hallway. The elevator doors closed with a mousy squeak.

    TJ smashed the floor three button and with a sudden jerk, Joe stumbled forward as the box zoomed backwards. The overhead speaker crackled with an announcement and what seemed like circus music playing in the background. ¡°Round and round, what goes up must come down.¡±

    Dawn steadied herself, pursing her lips into a frown. ¡°I never liked carnivals.¡±

    Joe offered them seaweed from his pack, but they refused. He crunched away as the familiar circus music intensified and the elevator tilted enough for him to slide his boots into the edge of the wall to prop himself.

    TJ grabbed the sheath of his blade. ¡°At least all that work on the second floor leveled up BK.¡±

    Joe glanced at his own weapon¡¯s stats. He¡¯d not made any upgrades, like Rose had done with the thorns, but his blades gained a level indicating sharper edges. His QRL increased as well, meaning another flex point he¡¯d need to assign. A quick flash of the alliance chat shifted his attention.

    Ryan: Nick¡¯s here. We¡¯re heading out now. The titan is the closest to the exit. If we wait for you, it¡¯ll move further away, costing us time that we can¡¯t waste. Sending Rose back to y¡¯all.

    Joe crammed the last paper-thin seaweed into his mouth, and shoved the trash in his backpack with more than strength than he¡¯d expected. Once they saved Brian, he¡¯d refocus on evening out his attributes. ¡°The Blanche Brigade is already heading onto the floor.

    Joe: Rose, meet us in the common room. Ryan, once us Titan Slayers are back together we¡¯ll meet you on the floor through the alliance map connection.

    Rose: Don¡¯t bother to wait on me, I can join when you exit. Wait¡­

    Joe: What is it?

    Rose: The screens flickering again. Where are you?

    The elevator bounced to a stop, the doors opening with two bizarre toots of a bicycle horn. TJ stumbled out, clutching his stomach while Dawn wiped a drop of sweat from her brow. ¡°This is mana poisoning.¡± She glanced at Joe. ¡°You barely look ill.¡±

    ¡°I still have a high mana capacity.¡± He dusted away some of the green crumbs from his fingers. ¡°Or, maybe it¡¯s the seaweed. You should try it and we¡¯ll find out.¡±

    ¡°Come on, guys.¡± Rose gestured to them, her raven hair flowing behind her as she cut around the corner into the dining hall. ¡°I think it¡¯s,¡± she paused, dropping to a whisper and cupping a hand beside her mouth, ¡°the Time Hacker.¡±

    Sure enough, the black and gray clown face bobbed backwards and the Time Hacker raised a whipped pie in front of him. ¡°This is a typical clown. He probably hacked our elevator ride.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and he brought cake.¡± TJ licked his lips. ¡°I hope that¡¯s stocked here.¡±

    An ascender from behind them raised his head off the table. ¡°Did someone say cake?¡± He groaned. ¡°I love cake, but I¡¯m too sick to get up for some.¡±

    Joe shook his head, mesmerized by the clown¡¯s vacant black eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not cake. It¡¯s a pie.¡±

    TJ shrugged, before leaning a hand against the pulsing wall next to the screen.  ¡°Well, I¡¯m calling it a cake.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m only clowning around.¡± The Time Hacker crowed before smashing the creme pie at the tv screen. Rainbow confetti burst across the screen before fading away. ¡°The cake is a lie.¡±

    The screen flickered, turning into another hollow cam. The aerial shot hovered across the third floor, more industrial cityscape than any of the other floors. ¡°These are your eyes.¡± The Time Hacker¡¯s voice cackled as the camera slowly zoomed in on a couple of ascenders digging through mounds in an alleyway.

    ¡°Walking cameras.¡± Joe twisted a green cord of his hoodie. Joe¡¯s gaze blurred as he drifted into thought. ¡°He¡¯s hacking the hollows. If he can hack them, then he can¡­¡±

    He pulled up the party chat to finish his thoughts with a smile and strengthening hope.

    Joe: All of this goes against what the lich said. The Time Hacker can still access the hollow¡¯s interface.

    ¡°Cahoonas, is that Lucky?¡± TJ exhaled, his breath fogging the screen.

    Blinking his vision into focus, Joe wiped the screen with his sleeve. Lucky¡¯s graying ears and chin were visible as he tucked his long rat tail around his ankle. ¡°It is. He¡¯s found something, but¡­¡± Joe¡¯s heart thudded against his chest.

    No, not Lucky too.

    The camera angle shifted to a first person perspective, honed in on Lucky¡¯s backside, his ears twitching. ¡°He¡¯s going to get the Touch of Madness if he doesn¡¯t move.¡±

    ¡°Flicking rocks, Lucky!¡± TJ pounded the wall. ¡°Not you too.¡±

    The hollow¡¯s who¡¯s vision had been hacked rushed forward, plowing straight into the green hoodie.

    Rose spun around, gasping. ¡°I can¡¯t watch any more.¡±

    Lucky fell to the ground, eyes widened with fear. Joe¡¯s breath caught in his mouth. ¡°That¡¯s not Lucky.¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°Another ratfolk ascender. Why even show us this?¡±

    The screen shifted back to the aerial camera angle, Lucky bobbing his head side to side like he¡¯d been listening to music.

    The Time Hacker¡¯s voice cackled. ¡°You¡¯re not connecting the right dots. You see two different things, yet, you draw your own conclusion, believing with such little evidence.¡±

    Joe mentally kicked himself. He¡¯d fallen for the oldest trick in the book¡ªsomething he¡¯d seen in countless movies and TV shows. Just when you think someone¡¯s about to be caught, there¡¯s a separation in space or time. It was just like that scene in Speed. Joe couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the Time Hacker saw himself as the hero, Jack, or the villain, Howard.

    ¡°Thanks for the lesson, I guess?¡± Joe muttered, glancing around. The soft snoring of an ascender with his head resting on the table caught his attention. ¡°What do you hope to achieve with this little stunt, now that you¡¯ve got our attention?¡±

    ¡°I am not responsible for what happens out there on each floor,¡± the Time Hacker said, still hiding behind the clown mask. ¡°The Lich shaped the ecosystems and summoned the monsters and titans that inhabit them. By sending out these broadcasts, I¡¯m lifting the lid on what¡¯s really happening. It¡¯s not my place to interfere or save anyone¡ªI¡¯m simply opening your eyes so you can save yourselves before it¡¯s too late.¡±

    Dawn approached the screen, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Last time you were all tippy-tappy with your messages, you never spoke directly to anyone. Why chance speaking now when the Lich can hear you? The longer your message, the easier it¡¯ll be for him to trace the source and find where you¡¯re hiding.¡±

    ¡°That was true before,¡± the Time Hacker said, a hint of confidence in his tone. ¡°But I¡¯ve got a stronger hold now¡ªI¡¯m a ghost in the machine. The Lich will never find me. This is a personal broadcast for your eyes and ears only. Other ascenders will see screenshots and captions, nothing more.¡±

    Dawn took a guarded step back, lowering her voice to a whisper as she leaned toward Joe. ¡°This sounds a little too convenient. I don¡¯t trust him. Could be the Lich playing mind games with us.¡±

    Joe gave a subtle nod.

    ¡°Okay, you¡¯ve made your point, but why us and why now?¡± Joe crossed his arms.

    ¡°I am but one person. I can be killed or imprisoned, and my voice silenced. But an idea is like an immortal seed. Once planted and nurtured in the minds of many, it takes root. You can kill creatures of flesh, but an idea, once spread and taken hold, is truly immortal. I speak to you directly because you¡¯re among the few capable of truly opening your eyes. Everyone else is so caught up in the jackpot they refuse to see what¡¯s really in front of them.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like something my old man would say.¡± TJ nodded. ¡°¡®You have eyes, but you cannot see Mount Tai.¡¯¡±

    With that, the screen went blank. It was only then that Joe noticed the rippling walls and ceilings had been still, as if the tower itself had been holding its breath. The return of the tower''s rhythmic pulse matched the pounding of his heart.

    TJ walked over to the snoring ascender and gave him a gentle shake. The poor guy jolted awake, raising his hands in defense. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it! Nobody saw me do it! You can¡¯t prove anything!¡±

    ¡°Chill, brother.¡± TJ grinned, offering the guy a healing pellet from his tin. ¡°I come in peace. You look a little green around the gills¡ªthis should help with the mana sickness so you can join your pals on the floor.¡±

    Fully awake now, the ascender gratefully took the pellet and swallowed it down. ¡°Appreciated, brother. My faction was under strict orders from The Andras Alliance to get out onto floor three. Used to scale mountains in my old life, dealt with altitude sickness, but this is something else.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯ll help for now.¡± TJ patted his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m TJ, by the way. And you are?¡±

    The big guy looked at TJ like he¡¯d just slept with his mother. He got up and backed away, eyeing TJ with caution. ¡°You one of the Titan Slayers?¡±

    Joe stepped forward, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Yeah. How about you?¡±

    The big guy didn¡¯t answer, only inched toward the door. ¡°Yeah, got a notification there. Best be going. Watch your back out there.¡± He was gone like a bullet, heading straight to floor three.

    Rose shook her head, watching him leave. ¡°If he¡¯s in an alliance with Andras, no surprise his faction is hostile to us.¡±

    Dawn placed a hand on TJ¡¯s shoulder, voicing what they were all thinking. ¡°Ungrateful bastard¡ªdidn¡¯t even say thanks.¡±

    ¡°Good riddance.¡± TJ crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯ve got no time for Andras¡¯ bootlickers.¡±

    An urgent message flashed red in Joe¡¯s vision, pulling him back to the situation at hand.

    Ryan: Everything okay? Bad news¡ªopportunity for titan battle has come and gone.

    Joe: Sorry, we thought our pal Lucky was in danger. Can you explain more? I¡¯m a little confused.

    Ryan: Get Dawn to check the map, then get your ass out here¡ªyou¡¯ll see for yourself.

    Joe glanced around at his friends, their expressions mirroring his concern. Dawn¡¯s gaze cleared as she checked her interface.

    ¡°Got a sweet level-up on my map.¡± Dawn¡¯s voice held a hint of excitement as her gaze glossed over. ¡°Floor three is divided into four quadrants. Right now, the titan is in the warehouse. It¡¯s a crapshoot which quadrant we¡¯ll land in once we enter the floor, and we¡¯ve got no time to prepare.¡±

    TJ nodded, his jaw tight. ¡°Only ten hours left on Brian¡¯s timer.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Without another word, they took off, charging through the door and spilling out onto floor three.

    Another notification popped up in the alliance chat.

    Ryan: What quadrant are you in? I dropped a pin to show our location.

    Dawn: We¡¯re in the Metro Valley. I can see exactly where you are.

    Ryan: Don¡¯t even think about wasting time or energy coming to join us here. Get to the warehouse.

    Nick: I¡¯ve uploaded all the information I have¡ªyou can update your map.

    Dawn: Thanks.

    Gaia: You¡¯re not welcome! Where the hell have you been? We¡¯ve been grinding away, taking damage¡ªwe could¡¯ve really used your help.

    Dawn sighed, rolling her eyes. ¡°Such a drama queen. She¡¯d cry over a broken nail. She needs to give it a rest.¡±

    Ryan: No use crying over spilled milk. We¡¯ll meet you in the warehouse. Don¡¯t wait for us to enter¡ªjust get there.

    Joe: Copy that. Stay safe out there.

    Rose tightened her hoodie strings, rubbing her hands together and blowing into them, her breath puffing out in little clouds. The chill in the air was biting, the kind that made Joe wish he¡¯d brought a second hoodie.

    ¡°Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.¡± Dawn¡¯s breath visible in the frigid air. Above them, the navy sky stretched out like a velvet blanket, dotted with stars sharp as pinpricks. The moon hung there like some grim reaper¡¯s sickle, casting an eerie glow over the ruined city.

    ¡°This place is nothing like the last two floors.¡± TJ squinted up at the towering, ruined buildings that loomed over them like something out of a dystopian nightmare. The streets seemed to twist and turn in every direction, like a maze designed to get you lost. ¡°So, where do we go from here?¡±

    Dawn pulled her green hoodie tighter, warding off the cold as she looked at her map. ¡°We¡¯re in the Metro Valley,¡± she said, her voice strained as a shiver took over her body. ¡°This whole floor feels like someone tried to recreate the end of the world. Where we are is¡­¡± She trailed off as the ground suddenly shook beneath their feet, and a deep, bellowing roar echoed through the air.

    Joe¡¯s heart flipped in his chest as shards of glass swayed in the windows above, sharp as daggers.

    ¡°Yeah, I think we should move¡ªlike, now.¡± Joe glanced at Dawn. ¡°Which way?¡±

    She pointed down the dark street ahead, where the only light came from those freaky, glowing pools of sludge seeping out of the pavement cracks. The greenish glow made everything look even creepier, like they were walking onto a horror movie set.

    They¡¯d barely taken a few steps when a loud crash behind them made Joe whirl around. Glass splinters were flying at them like a thousand tiny daggers. But before he could even think about ducking, Dawn threw up a wall of flame. The heat was intense, and the glass shards melted mid-air, dropping to the ground with a hiss.

    ¡°Go! Now!¡± Dawn snapped, and they all picked up the pace. Joe¡¯s eyes darted up, half-expecting the buildings to come crashing down on them.

    Everywhere he looked, there was nothing but destruction. Towering skyscrapers lay in ruins, their once-majestic forms now shattered, their remnants jutting out like broken teeth. The streets were littered with rubble, fallen signs, and abandoned vehicles. Electrical discharges crackled and sparked between twisted metal beams, creating an ominous, buzzing hum that set Joe¡¯s nerves on edge.

    They took a sharp right down a side street, and the remains of what looked like motorized vehicles and bikes lay scattered in their path. The vehicles were unlike anything Joe had ever seen, with sleek, futuristic designs that reminded him of something out of Blade Runner.

    ¡°What the hell are these?¡± TJ asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

    Joe took a closer look. ¡°They kind of remind me of dune buggies and motorbikes from back home, but, you know, with a magi-tech vibe.¡±

    As they moved deeper into the alley, trash cans¡ªknocked over by who-knew-what¡ªlittered the ground, and graffiti covered the walls. One piece caught Joe¡¯s eye, and he snorted as TJ read it out loud: ¡°The cake is NOT a lie!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like the exact opposite of what the Time Hacker typed out on his screen broadcast,¡± Rose murmured, her staff¡¯s thorns lengthening like they were on alert for trouble.

    ¡°I smell something¡­ funky.¡± Dawn¡¯s wary tone echoed as she scanned the shadows. ¡°Don¡¯t think we¡¯re alone here.¡±

    Joe slowed his steps as the strong stench of urine hit him, his hand instinctively retrieving his butterfly knives. With Quick Wit activated, the shadows suddenly seemed alive with movement¡ªflickers of something darting around just out of sight. He could see the faint glow of nocturnal eyes peering back at him.

    The thunk of wood on metal echoed as Rose''s staff struck what looked like a sewer lid twice the size of a manhole cover. It had a rune on it, barely visible through the claw marks and pockmarks left by oozing decay seeping up through the storm drains.

    ¡°Watch your step.¡± Joe gestured to the ooze. ¡°Dawn, you seeing anything on your map? Any ascenders hanging around?¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°Nope. The red zoner numbers must¡¯ve dropped off on this floor. There¡¯s a few greens and oranges near the warehouse, but no monsters showing up yet.¡±

    ¡°Or hollows.¡± Rose¡¯s  knuckles whitened as she gripped her staff.

    The familiar squeak of rats echoed from rusted drain pipes running up the walls. Joe could see their beady eyes watching them from the shadows. One particularly bold rat, about three times the size of a typical sewer rat, darted across their path. It looked like it had a bad case of mange and it flashed yellow teeth as its whiskers twitched like electrified steel cables.

    Its mottled tail and patches of exposed red skin, with only tufts of black fur remaining, like it had been through hell and back. The beast jumped over a puddle of that toxic sludge, and Joe watched as its fur started to smoke where the stuff touched it.

    Before the rat even landed, something blurred past Joe, forcing him and Dawn to jump back. TJ maneuvered to avoid bumping into them from behind, as did Rose, their four-person formation tighter in the enclosed space.

    A guttural snarling and snapping sound drowned out the rat''s pitiful cries as whatever had pounced on it rolled around in a ball of fur and fury. The beast¡¯s black and gray tail whipped around in a frenzy.

    When the rat''s cries finally faded, the furball uncoiled and sprang onto its hind legs, its black forearms flexing as it stared at them through eyes masked by a bandit-like pattern of fur. Like everything else in this twisted world, it was much bigger than the critters back home. Its eyes were wild, froth bubbling at the corners of its mouth, while entrails dangled from its neck like a gruesome necklace.

    ¡°Uh, Dawn, can you, like, reason with it?¡± Joe didn¡¯t take his eyes off the crazed creature.

    ¡°I¡¯m a paladin, Joe, not a ranger,¡± Dawn shot back, her voice a little gruff. ¡°My skills aren¡¯t strong enough to control a level 20 Craic Coon.¡±

    TJ¡¯s machete made a soft zing as he swung it in a practice arc. ¡°Say the word, and I¡¯ll put this little psycho down.¡±

    The Craic Coon bared its sharp fangs, blood dripping as it growled, ¡°Mine.¡±

    ¡°Did that thing just talk?¡± Joe blinked, not sure if he¡¯d heard right.

    The monster crouched, yanked the head off the rat, and started gnawing on it like it was a drumstick.

    Suddenly, the sewer lid behind them exploded into the air, and a massive green scaly claw slammed down on the pavement with a thud that shook the ground. Another claw followed, and then the huge head of an alligator beast emerged from the sewer. Its glowing yellow eyes were as big as lanterns, and it leapt with shocking speed, the ground cracking beneath its weight as it landed on all fours.

    The Craic Coon didn¡¯t stand a chance¡ªthe reptilian beast snapped it up in its jaws, the crunch of gristle and bone making Joe¡¯s stomach churn.

    ¡°Fall back!¡± Joe yelled as the monster whipped its tail around, forcing them to dodge and weave to avoid getting crushed. This thing was huge, and its scales had this weird metallic sheen that made it look like it had been through some serious modifications.

    Joe¡¯s Quick Wit kicked in, analyzing the beast¡¯s movements. ¡°Dawn, it¡¯s favoring its right side¡ªlooks like it¡¯s injured. Hit it with fire, now!¡±

    TJ knew better than to charge in close without weakening the beast first. Joe threw one of his butterfly knives, and it struck true, sinking into the monster¡¯s eye with a sickening pop. Black blood sprayed out as the beast roared in pain, shaking its whole body and sending them ducking for cover from its armored tail.

    Rose swung her staff at the tail, trying to catch it at the peak of its deadly arc, but the blow barely made a dent. The force of the impact almost knocked her off balance, but Dawn grabbed her, swinging her out of harm¡¯s way in a move that was half-ballet, half-desperate survival. They narrowly avoided another tail strike that smashed into the ground where they¡¯d been standing seconds before.

    ¡°If these things aren¡¯t some mutant freaks,¡± Joe exhaled, taking another step back, ¡°then they¡¯ve definitely been experimented on.¡±

    The tail came crashing toward him again, and Joe barely had time to react before Dawn¡¯s hands glowed white-hot. She unleashed a geyser of flame, scorching the beast¡¯s flank and forcing its tail to thrash in the opposite direction. Rose lashed out with her water whip, the two attacks combining for a solid hit that made their tandem strike bonus flash in Joe¡¯s vision.

    The monster¡¯s legs trembled under its massive weight as its HP plummeted, giving TJ the opening he needed. With a fierce battle cry, TJ lunged, his muscles bulging as he delivered a powerful double-handed strike with his machete. The blade sliced through the notch between the beast¡¯s eyes, cracking its skull open like a coconut. The monster let out one final, pitiful groan before collapsing to the ground.

    Joe wiped his brow with the back of his hand, heart still thudding in his chest. "Well, that was... something." He glanced at the Amphetagator¡¯s massive, lifeless form. The creature had swallowed the Craic Coon whole, leaving nothing behind but a few scraps of fur and a bloody smear on the pavement.

    TJ was already at the Amphetagator, his machete ready to cut through its thick, scaly hide. "Let¡¯s see what goodies this bad boy is hiding." TJ grinned, clearly enjoying the post-battle adrenaline.

    Joe nodded, stepping up to help. He didn¡¯t have to dig far into the beast¡¯s chest before he found what they were looking for. The Amphetagator¡¯s core was large and pulsing with a sickly green glow, its energy thrumming in his hand as he yanked it free.

    "Got it." Joe held the glowing orb up for the others to see. The core was warm to the touch, almost vibrating with stored power.

    TJ let out a low whistle as he took the orb from Joe. "Just wait until Brian recovers and gets his hands on these bad boys. Can''t wait to see the look on his face," he said, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. He pocketed the core, giving the Amphetagator¡¯s massive head a final tap with his machete before stepping back.

    "Nice haul." Joe wiped his knife clean on the Amphetagator¡¯s tough hide. "But we¡¯re in a rush. Let¡¯s get out of this alley before something else decides it¡¯s snack time."

    They moved with caution toward the end of the alley, Dawn and Rose keeping a vigilant watch on the shadows. The eerie quiet of the Metro Valley didn¡¯t last long. As they emerged from the narrow passageway, they were greeted by a sight that made Joe¡¯s eyes go wide.

    In the distance, a trio of titans were locked in a vicious brawl, their massive forms towering over the ruined city. Each strike they exchanged sent shockwaves through the ground, making it feel like the whole city was trembling beneath their feet.

    Buildings crumbled under the titans¡¯ feet like they were made of sand, debris flying everywhere as they raged. One of them let out a deep, guttural roar as it took a hit, and a spray of dark blood arced through the air, splattering against the remaining buildings. The blood flowed down the shattered streets, creating rivers of gore that ran deep red under the night sky.

    "Holy hell, this is straight out of Rampage." Joe couldn¡¯t hide the tinge of fear in his voice.

    "Keep moving." Dawn pointed towards a bridge that spanned what looked like a river of blood. But Joe quickly realized it wasn¡¯t water flowing beneath the bridge¡ªit was the blood of the titans, endlessly pouring from their wounds, turning the river into a churning, crimson torrent. The sight made his stomach uneasy, but they had no other way across.

    As they approached the bridge, the atmosphere felt heavy, like a thick fog of dread had settled over them. The bridge creaked and groaned under its own weight, the blood-slicked stones looking treacherous underfoot.

    "This is like crossing the Billy Goats Gruff bridge, except instead of a troll, we¡¯ve got¡­ what the hell is that?" TJ¡¯s voice, barely more than a whisper, as he pointed to a massive shadow lurking beneath the bridge.

    Before he could finish, the water erupted in a spray of blood, and a creature the size of a bear hurled itself onto the bridge. Its body was bloated and grotesque, swollen with the blood it had absorbed from the titans. Its skin was a sickly, mottled red, dripping with the viscous fluid, and its eyes were dark pits, glistening with malevolence.

    "Blood parasites." Joe gasped, recognizing the creature from one of the tower¡¯s more disturbing lore entries that he¡¯d from the last book he¡¯d read before he died¡ªA Titan¡¯s Core. "Of course it¡¯s blood parasites."

    Another parasite burst from the river, landing on the bridge with a wet, bone-chilling thud. The creature moved with a horrifying speed for its size, its six legs skittering across the blood-slicked stones as it charged at them, its gaping maw dripping with titan blood.

    "Keep it together!" Joe yelled, adrenaline spiking as he drew his knives. "Take these things down fast¡ªwe don¡¯t want to be stuck here!"

    Dawn¡¯s hands flared with light. She summoned a burst of flame and hurled it at the nearest parasite. The creature screeched as the fire seared its flesh. But it kept coming.

    Rose flung her water whip across the other parasite, trying to keep it at bay, but the beast was relentless, snapping its jaws just inches from her face.

    TJ swung his machete with precision, aiming for the parasite¡¯s head, but the creature dodged, its claws scraping against the stone as it lunged at him.

    Joe moved in, slashing at the beast¡¯s side with his butterfly knives, and the parasite howled in pain, its blood spraying across the bridge, mingling with the river below.

    "These things are tougher than they look!" TJ grunted, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the parasite¡¯s claws.

    [Blood Parasite HP: 145]

    "Just keep hitting it!" Joe shouted, dodging the creature¡¯s snapping jaws as he drove his knife into its side again. The parasite thrashed, its movements becoming frantic as it realized it was outmatched by numbers.

    With one final, coordinated strike, they managed to bring down the first parasite, its bloated body collapsing onto the blood-soaked bridge.

    The second parasite hissed, but before it could attack again, Dawn and Rose combined their powers, sending a torrent of fire and water crashing into the creature. The party boon attack flashed in his vision:

    [Dual Strike deals 20% damage.]

    Overwhelmed, the parasite let out a final, gurgling roar before it tumbled over the bridge¡¯s edge back into the river, its form disappearing beneath the surface with a sickening splash.

    Breathing heavily, Joe scanned the area. "Everyone okay?"

    "Yeah." TJ panted, wiping his machete on his pants. "But I¡¯m really starting to love this place."

    "Yeah it¡¯s one hell of a vacation spot." Joe eyed the river of blood with a grimace. "Let¡¯s get across this bridge before anything else decides to join the party."

 Chapter 35: Blood and Betrayal

    A cold breeze carried the sharp tang of blood from the river below as Joe crossed the bridge, keeping an eye out for any more blood parasites. Something orange and ragged tumbled across the path like a piece of windblown trash. TJ slipped past Joe and snatched it up before it could blow off the bridge.

    He held it up¡ªa tattered orange hoodie, dark splotches of blood clinging to the shredded fabric. Dawn and Rose flanked him, both raising their guard as they leaned in to get a better look.

    ¡°What a rough way to go.¡± A knot of unease tightened in Joe¡¯s gut. He didn¡¯t know their ascender number but hoped whoever the hoodie had belonged to had enough time currency and life expectancy to respawn. Otherwise, it was a brutal end.

    ¡°Yeah, brother.¡± TJ¡®s tone carried a weight with it that made Joe glance at him. ¡°Back home, being torn apart by dragons was as common as ale froth in a dwarf¡¯s beard.¡±

    TJ neatly folded the hoodie, placed it on the ground, and set a piece of driftwood on top like a makeshift grave marker. Bowing his head, he said in a low voice, ¡°Respawn in peace.¡±

    They pressed on, moving quietly across the bridge until they reached a pair of massive double doors set beneath an imposing arch made of dark, heavy wood reinforced with iron bands and rivets. Rose¡¯s fingers traced the intricate carvings on the doors, each depicting a titanic creature representing one of the elements¡ªwater, wind, fire, and earth.

    ¡°These carvings almost look like they¡¯re watching us.¡± Rose gave the door a cautious tap with her staff.

    Dawn¡¯s fiery hair blew like embers in the cold breeze, and she whipped the strands crossing her face away, twisting them up into a bun. ¡°This place gives me the creeps,¡± she whispered. She hesitated, meeting Joe¡¯s gaze with a flicker of fear in her emerald eyes.

    Joe stepped closer to the door, scanning it for any obvious way to open it. There were no handles, no levers¡ªnothing that screamed, ¡®Push here to enter.¡¯

    TJ threw his shoulder into the door, but it didn¡¯t budge.

    Rose, drawn to the carving of a water dragon, let her fingers glide over the detailed scales. The eyes of the dragon glowed a soft blue but quickly dimmed when she pulled her hand back, startled.

    Joe scratched his jaw, piecing it together. He placed his hand on a carving of a titan with earth affinity, and its eyes glowed orange. As soon as he lifted his hand, the glow faded away. Turning to the others, he motioned them closer. ¡°I think I¡¯ve got it. We need to activate all four elements by touching the carvings.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve all got two affinities¡ªone for our race and one for our class. Which one do we go with?¡± Dawn¡¯s gaze shifted between the carvings.

    ¡°The earth carving lit up for me, and the water one responded to Rose. That leaves fire and wind. Dawn, you¡¯ve got both, and TJ, you¡¯ve got earth and wind.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hand began to glow softly with energy. ¡°I¡¯ll handle fire. TJ, you¡¯re on wind.¡± She pointed at a carving of a creature that looked like a spinning Tasmanian devil on a caffeine high.

    ¡°On three.¡± Joe¡¯s hand hovered over the earth carving while the others got into position. They pressed their hands to the carvings, but nothing happened.

    After a couple of seconds, TJ growled in frustration. ¡°Open up, or I¡¯ll set my BK machete to work on you.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re onto something.¡± Rose¡¯s brow furrowed in thought. ¡°We¡¯re missing a key detail about how these elements interact.¡±

    Joe snapped his fingers. ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± He saw their expectant looks and grinned. ¡°Rose, you start. Place your hand on the carving, and when the eyes light up, Dawn, you go next, then me, and finally, TJ¡ªyou finish it off.¡±

    TJ frowned. ¡°Why am I going last?¡±

    Rose rolled her eyes but started the process. The eyes of the water dragon lit up, and Dawn quickly placed her hand on the fire carving.

    ¡°It¡¯s all about the cycle of elements.¡± Joe touched the earth carving, waiting for the familiar amber glow. ¡°Water douses fire, fire scorches earth, earth smothers wind, and wind... well, you get the idea.¡±

    TJ placed his hand on the wind carving, and the breeze around them died. In the stillness, Joe could hear the faint hum of gears turning within the walls. A light of triumph sparked in their eyes as the massive doors slowly creaked open, revealing a faint mist rolling out from the dark interior, carrying the scent of oil and ozone.

    Inside, flanking either side of the entrance, stood cylindrical glass cases. Each one housed a gorilla-like Kong made entirely of metal, like those creepy old automata from the 20th century. Their eyes glowed eerily, and the clockwork innards were visible through their transparent torsos.

    A loud ding echoed through the space, like an old-school microwave announcing that dinner was ready. A cheerful, slightly off-kilter voice filled the air, emanating from a glowing crystal orb mounted on the wall. The orb projected a hazy image of something not quite human¡ªa faceless figure with knobs for hands and feet.

    ¡°Welcome, ascenders, to The Facility, the tower¡¯s top experimental warehouse on the third floor,¡± the voice chirped. ¡°Please note that due to ongoing calibrations, some experiments may not function as intended. Proceed with caution.¡±

    The voice floated through the hazy atmosphere, and even with his Quick Wit activated, Joe struggled to grasp the scale of their surroundings. Without warning, he was dragged forward as he stepped onto a conveyor belt that began to pick up speed.

    Swatting away the mist, Joe noticed other ascender groups zipping past on different levels above them. Muffled sounds echoed in the distance, and he could just make out a huge silhouette with multiple heads bobbing up and down, barely visible through the thick fog. The heads lit up with different elemental colors, like a twisted fireworks display.

    TJ pointed ahead with his machete. ¡°That¡¯s where we need to be. What¡¯s with all this tour guide crap? I say we ditch him.¡±

    ¡°Be patient,¡± Dawn said, though Joe noticed her eyes darting nervously at the iron bars on windows and cages up ahead, clearly triggering some bad memories for her.

    ¡°You okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she snapped, but then immediately softened, letting out a breath as she caught Joe¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± A large guttural roar cut her off.

    ¡°No need to apologize. It¡¯s me, remember? You¡¯re a survivor. You¡¯ll get through this.¡± Joe gave her a reassuring nod. She returned a grateful look, her grip on his arm relaxing.

    The others were too busy taking in their surroundings to notice their exchange as the conveyor belt sped past what looked like a storage section. Joe couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was inside all those containers¡ªone was oozing the same green sludge they¡¯d seen bubbling up through cracks and oozing from storm drains back in Metro Valley. ¡°That looks like the stuff we saw earlier.¡± He nudged TJ, who had missed it, too focused on the foggy distance where the titan boss battle was raging.

    TJ tried stepping back, but the conveyor belt kept pulling him forward. He managed to take a step before hitting an invisible wall, his feet moving but going nowhere, like in some game glitch moonwalk that used to crack Joe up.

    ¡°Nice dance moves.¡± Dawn chuckled.

    TJ grunted, trying to force his way back, but it was no use. Catching Joe and Dawn¡¯s amused look, he muttered, ¡°Never speak of this to anyone. I don¡¯t dance.¡±

    As they traveled further, it became clear that the multi-level conveyor belts were like something straight out of a Terminator or Batman movie. Heavy thoughts weighed on Joe as he heard the loud thuds of ascenders crashing against walls, thrown from the battle dome, their bodies landing on the conveyor belt lifeless before fading into their respawns.

    A message popped up in chat.

    Ryan: We¡¯ve accessed the warehouse from the Iron Ridge quadrant. How about you?

    Joe: We¡¯re on the bottom level conveyor belt heading towards the titan from the Metro Valley entrance. You¡¯re right about the timing¡ªit¡¯s some distance away. Looks like lots of ascenders here.

    Nick: Dawn, check your map. You¡¯ll see how many factions made it this far.

    Dawn: That¡¯s a lot¡ªeverything¡¯s obscured, so I wasn¡¯t sure. From the map, it looks like at least a dozen or more in the vicinity of the titan.

    Joe: They can¡¯t all be from one faction. Is Andras coordinating the attacks?

    Ryan: From what we can see, that¡¯s the case. Looks like he¡¯s commanding an army.

    A glowing red light broke through the fog, ticking away like a giant digital clock timer. Joe¡¯s stomach dropped as the implications hit him.

    ¡°Fighting this titan is different from the last.¡±

    Ryan: Have you seen the timer yet? You get limited time to fight the titan, then your turn¡¯s over, and you have to start again.

    Joe almost forgot about the ghostly guide, who had been calmly narrating their journey. A quick glance to the side, and he was appalled by what he saw. Holding cages lined the walls, each containing monsters that looked like they¡¯d been part of some twisted science experiment.

    Scattered on the ground were scraps of metal, broken weapons, and bloodied gear. Above, rusty chains hung from the ceiling, some ending in jagged hooks, while blood oozed across the grimy floor into dark corners. The sight made TJ grimace like he¡¯d tasted something rotten.

    The cheery voice of their ghostly guide rose above the distant battle cries. ¡°This is where the magic happens.¡± It gestured to a copper bucket with steam rising from it. ¡°The humble beginnings of this magnificent facility. Behold, the bucket of steam.¡±

    A loud squeak came from a holding cell labeled ¡®Failed Experiment,¡¯ and the cage door swung open, flinging a toad-like monster onto the conveyor belt. It blinked its big, confused eyes at them.

    The guide continued, ¡°Here we are at the holding area for irretrievable failures... like this one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a failure,¡± croaked the toad monster, its eyes flickering nervously toward the compression vice ahead, a mechanical maw ready to crush it.

    TJ tried to move toward the creature, but the invisible wall blocked him again. ¡°Give the poor toad a chance!¡± His fists slammed the invisible barrier in frustration.

    ¡°Objection noted Ascender 95 but he¡¯s already dying. He just doesn¡¯t know it,¡± the ghostly guide replied, the cheer fading from its tone.

    ¡°I¡¯m not dying. I''m feeling much better!¡± the toad weakly protested.

    ¡°Oh, well then, off you pop back to your cage,¡± the guide said, its indifference unsettling. ¡°Just kidding.¡±

    ¡°Wait. What?¡ª¡± The toad¡¯s words were cut off as manacles shot up from the conveyor, binding it in place. Joe turned away right before the compressor slammed down with a sickening thud.

    THWOMP!

    Gritting his teeth, Joe couldn¡¯t bring himself to look back at the aftermath.

    ¡°Forget about what I said earlier, this place sickens me.¡± TJ elbowed him. ¡°Looks like they put all those experiments to use.¡± He nodded ahead as the titan came into full view.

    The creature was a terrifying blend of organic and mechanical parts, its central body covered in thick, reinforced plating. Glowing energy conduits pulsed beneath its armor, feeding power into four heads atop snake-like necks. Each head bore an elemental symbol¡ªfire, earth, wind, and water.

    Joe: How much time do we have? Do you know, Ryan?

    Ryan: One of Andras¡¯s faction was locked in battle. There was a four-minute timer before it opened up to new challengers. Not much success on the ground level¡ªwe¡¯re taking the fight higher up.

    They had to time it right. As the conveyor belt above aligned with their path, they leapt, clinging to the edge, feet dangling over the abyss.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look down,¡± Joe said, feeling the burn spread from his fingertips down to his arms.

    Relief flooded him as TJ, already on the upper platform, locked a thick hand around his wrist and hauled him up to standing. All four regrouped, spotting other ascenders launching attacks at the titan a few paces away. The titan roared in response, making the ground tremble beneath them.

    Ahead on the conveyor belt, an ascender in a green hoodie shouldered another off the platform, grinning as the body plummeted to the ground. He raced onward, shoving others aside, making it look like an accident.

    Scorch marks littered the conveyor belt, and when a wall of flame swept across the platform, scorching nearby ascenders to a crisp, Joe turned and shielded his face. Rose quickly covered them in a cooling mist to prevent burns, her staff glowing like a blue storm cloud.

    Joe raised a fist. ¡°Once we engage and the titan retaliates, our combat timer will start. If we attack from this level, the titan has the height and reach advantage. I say we go higher. Watch out for any crafty ascenders trying to ¡®accidentally¡¯ knock us off.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°Let them try.¡± TJ snorted. He was already leaping over scorch marks and broken weapons, jumping to the next level. Offering a helping hand, they continued up the multi-level conveyor belts, timing their jumps. All the while, Joe¡¯s Quick Wit scanned the titan for weaknesses. By the time they reached the top level, an idea had come to him.

    As far as Joe could tell, the titan was inspired by his world, and if the Lich was familiar with kaiju movies, it would have a weakness like Ghidorah. The weaving necks of the titan were fully armored with thick metal plating, and it made Joe wonder if there was a way to exploit that.

    ¡°Here¡¯s the plan,¡± Joe began, catching their attention. ¡°TJ, you watch for ascenders trying to force us out once we engage or after the four-minute timer ends. We can¡¯t afford to respawn back at the orange zone, not with everything that¡¯s at stake.¡±

    They all knew what that meant for Brian if they failed. He sent a quick message through the alliance chat to fill the Blanche Brigade in on the titan¡¯s weakness.

    Ryan: We¡¯re getting into position to engage with the titan if you don¡¯t finish it before the timer runs out. Good Luck!¡±

    Joe: You too and watch your back, Andras¡¯ ascenders are everywhere.

    Facing a titan with 1600 HP, Joe knew it was wise to test how much damage they could deal with ranged dps. If their rate of damage output was too low, they risked being wiped out if enrage mechanics were involved on this floor or they¡¯d simply run out of time.

    ¡°Rose, test your water attacks on the water titan head and provide a shield against incoming elemental attacks. You¡¯ll be weakest against earth, so we¡¯ll rely on our physical skills to avoid harm from those type of attacks. Dawn, that¡¯ll give you space to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Take on the fire titan head?¡± Dawn interrupted, a fiery glint in her eyes.

    ¡°No, focus on the metal armor covering the necks of all four titan heads. I think that¡¯s protecting their weak point.¡± Joe held a fist above his head, watching the timer tick down to one. He flung his arm forward, launching a smoke pellet at its mechanical feet several stories down. The cloud plumed as the timer struck zero.

    [Titan Slayers locked in battle with Mecha-King Apollycon.]

    ¡°Now!¡± Joe took a step to the side.

    ¡°On it.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes and hands glowed as she unleashed a barrage of fire strikes on the armored necks, one by one.

    The titan heads roared in unison, retaliating with a water blast, followed by a fiery eruption, and then a boulder launched by the earth head. They barely dodged its attack as the boulder plummeted toward them, leaving cracks on the conveyor belt beneath their feet.

    Dawn kept up her attacks, her mana visibly draining as she melted off the last metal plate, exposing the vulnerable scales beneath. Each titan head snarled, their massive maws opening wide as they prepared their next counterattack.

    The wind titan¡¯s head, atop a serpentine neck with scales shimmering like a storm cloud, sent out devastating dust devils, but Rose¡¯s water shield held firm.

    The timer was ticking down fast.

    ¡°Uh, we better speed up¡ªwe¡¯re running out of time.¡± Dawn¡¯s voice tightened with urgency as she fired another blast.

    Before Joe could respond, the fire titan¡¯s red-scaled head spewed lava, followed by the earth titan¡¯s attack¡ªa brutal, stony face grinding together with the sound of a landslide, its jagged teeth and molten eyes spitting out boulders.

    Activating Shadow Step, Joe tugged Rose and Dawn out of the way, barely dodging the earthen shower. Rocks shattered the platform, leaving jagged metal bent into table sized holes around them.

    ¡°It¡¯s following the cycle of elements, just like we had to do at the main entrance to get in.¡± Joe steadied himself, grabbing a steel cable. ¡°The key to beating it is recognizing that pattern and striking when the heads are distracted by their own attacks.¡±

    Dawn grinned, timing her fire strikes perfectly to hit the vulnerable necks. She started with the earth titan head, melting flesh away until the head detached and crashed to the ground, crushing ascenders below.

    She moved on to the next head while Joe coordinated Rose¡¯s attacks, and TJ fended off any ascenders who dared to approach while also dodging incoming boulders.

    They managed to take down the second head, and Dawn was halfway through the third when the timer ran out.

    A notification appeared:

    [Time¡¯s up. Better luck next time.]

    ¡°So disappointing.¡± The blue flame¡¯s heat flickered. ¡°Your dps performance is subpar. I wonder if it¡¯s even worth saying¡ªgood luck, chump. You need a miracle¡±

    Ignoring the flame, Joe¡¯s attention snapped to the Blanche Brigade. A fast-moving shimmer darted toward Gaia from behind. He opened his mouth to shout a warning, but Ryan had already sprinted at full speed toward the threat.

    Too fast. Joe¡¯s gut twisted.

    A flash of steel cut through the air beside the shimmer, swinging in a wide arc. Ryan dodged left, but the weapon still sliced through his hoodie, blood spraying across the attacker. The camouflage shattered, revealing a green-haired changeling, grinning like he was proud of the cheap shot.

    Gaia spun around, eyes wild, and blasted the changeling with a surge of bright blue fire. The creature laughed, his face and hair scorched black, as he staggered backward over the railing. But just before he fell, his hand lashed out and grabbed Ryan¡¯s injured arm, dragging him down with him.

    Ryan¡¯s face twisted in pain, his grip faltering, but he managed to snag the edge of a cage, barely stopping himself from plummeting.

    Joe¡¯s stomach lurched. No, no, no!

    Without thinking, Joe activated Shadow Step, his body blurring as he shot forward. But before he could reach Ryan, a whooshing pop rang out, and the battle dome burst, its protective barrier dropping the Titan Slayers back onto the lower conveyor level like discarded toys.

    Joe hit the ground hard, wincing as his shoulder took most of the impact. He scrambled to his feet, his eyes immediately searching the platform above for any sign of Ryan.

    Where the hell is he? Joe''s heart pounded. He fumbled with his interface, sending a frantic message in the alliance chat:

    Joe: Ryan, you okay?

    No response.

    Come on, man... answer me!

    ¡°Felt like we were shot out like a nasty turd.¡± TJ brushed himself off with a scowl.

    ¡°Speaking of nasty turds.¡± Dawn pointed to Andras.

    Joe tensed at the mention of that back-stabbing bard. He hoped to hell Ryan was ok but right now he had to keep eyes on Andras.

    The bard was chatting with a group of ascenders, completely ignoring Joe¡¯s team but clearly talking about them. ¡°Good effort, everybody, but look who¡¯s joined us¡ªthe Titan Slayers who somehow fall into shit and come out smelling like roses. Stop standing around after your pathetic four rounds of reducing its health. Go in and do more than try for the win. And remember, if you try to take out the Titan Slayers, there are stiff penalties, so don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± He gave one ascender a knowing nod before gesturing to Joe with a wicked grin.

    The power of suggestion was strong, especially with Andras¡¯ charisma. A whole mob of ascenders charged at Joe and his crew, forcing them into a fighting stance. But before the mob could reach them, they were blindsided by another group, tackling them aside with punches and kicks. It was like watching chaos unfold as boots morphed into quad skates.

    ¡°Check out that faction,¡± Dawn said, impressed. ¡°Like roller derby gals.¡±

    Joe blinked in surprise. The group had customized their gear, with sleeves ripped off, cargo pants cut short, and makeshift helmets and armor to protect their knees and elbows. They were in fact a fantasy version of a roller derby team, with at least seven members¡ªonly one looked human, while the rest were a mix of kobolds, elves, dwarves, and ratfolk.

    "Oh look, meals on wheels have arrived." Andras sneered, though Joe noticed the slight wobble in his voice as he took a nervous step back. "We didn''t order anything, so kindly show them the door." He pointed to the steep drop below.

    The leader of the roller derby crew, a hybrid dwarf-elf with tinted yellow glasses, had a smile that felt like the warmest, coziest hug. But her glare could melt steel. Black spiked gloves flexed as rainbow sparks danced between them¡ªcuteness and carnage combined.

    "Ooh, I like her already." Rose gushed, her hands closed around the gnarled wood staff.

    The smallest of the group but clearly the toughest, she led the charge with a gutsy war cry. "We will break you, break you all!" She slammed her right shoulder into the belly of an orange zoner guy twice her size. The wind knocked out of him, he folded like a cheap newspaper, and she used the momentum to drive forward, sparks flying from her hot pink wheels.

    He didn¡¯t stand a chance. She judo-threw him over her shoulder with a swift, practiced motion, and his eyes bugged out as he tumbled straight into the path of a fierce ratfolk skater. Decked out in piercings, she wore a hoodie with a biker patch that boldly declared, "I Don¡¯t Give A Rat¡¯s Ass!"

    As the orange zoner guy scrambled to regain his footing, he made a desperate grab for her as she whizzed past. Her nose twitched. Sensing she was within his reach, she angled right and spun to meet his assault. Dropping into a low crouch losing no speed, she shot out a foot that clipped him hard in the shin.

    ¡°You flea-bitten rat bitch!¡± he yelled, hopping on one leg while gnashing his teeth. Snatching a green bottle from his belt, he downed it in one gulp, and with a manic grin, he hulked out¡ªexcept now his skin looked like it was made from lumpy orange peel. He picked her up like she was a rag doll, and though daggers shot out from her gloves, his tough hide only sparked as her blades glanced off.

    The derby team leader spun back from an attack that had sent a slew of the ascender mob flying like bowling pins, zeroing in on her friend now choking in the vise grip of the orange-skinned brute.

    "She''s not going to make it." Rose¡¯s storm-blue eyes locked on the hulk¡¯s savage grin as if he was savoring the moment before crushing their hopes. Right as the derby leader was within arm''s reach of her teammate, the annoying orange brute let go, a cruel smirk on his face.

    The derby girl flailed as she fell, her blades disappearing as her arms helplessly pinwheeled.

    Joe and Rose exchanged a look, and Rose shot forward, spinning her staff to knock aside any ascenders in her way. With a quick motion, she cast a water whip that lashed out and over the edge of the conveyor just as the derby girl disappeared from view.

    Strain was visible on Rose¡¯s face as she pulled back on her staff like she was reeling in a big fish. The soft blue glow of the water whip lit up her smile as the derby girl reappeared over the edge, swinging her legs back onto the conveyor. Using the whip like a vine, she soared through the air and delivered a slamming right hook, powered by her wind affinity. The punch connected with a satisfying crunch, sending the orange-skinned brute sprawling.

    He hit the ground with a dull thud, eyes wide in stupid surprise as he realized he¡¯d just been taken down by someone half his size.

    Skidding to a halt, the leader of the derby team motioned to her crew with a hand gesture. In unison, they nodded and got into formation. She zipped around Joe, her wheels barely making a sound. ¡°You¡¯re one of the Titan Slayers, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m Joe. You¡¯ve got an impressive crew¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Rose and I absolutely love what you did with your clothes,¡± Rose butted in, practically bouncing. ¡°Do you have a crafter on your team?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Katia Tran, but everyone calls me KT,¡± the leader smirked, dipping her glasses below her eyes. ¡°My friend, Andy, altered our gear. She used to be a skater back on Earth before, well, you know, she died. Now she brought us together as the Bruiser Battalion.¡± KT gestured to Andy, who had just taken off her helmet, revealing large, cartoonish rat ears full of piercings and purple spiked hair. She swung her helmet like a weapon, cracking it across an attacker¡¯s head before pouncing on him, her tail whipping in a frenzy as she punched his lights out.

    KT grinned. ¡°Andy is friends with Lucky. He told her you were nice to him. Can¡¯t stand lying cheaters like that prick Andras. Wasn¡¯t about to let his goons take you down.¡±

    ¡°We owe you one.¡± Joe nodded, grateful for their help.

    KT waved him off with a warm smile. ¡°Rose saved Andy, so we¡¯re even. See you guys around.¡±

    ¡°Byeee, KT!¡± Rose enthusiastically waved as KT and her crew sped off into the chaos.

    The fog pulsed with the red glow, another faction¡¯s time ended. He leapt back as the derby girl rolled past, clotheslining an ascender who¡¯d charged from behind them.

    ¡°Re-engage in battle.¡± Joe glanced back at Dawn who had already launched a fiery blast, but her attack fizzled against an invisible shield as the timer reset.

    TJ punched an ascender in the throat, the attacking ascender stumbling backward tipped over the edge of the railing. ¡°Why are they attacking us instead of the titan?¡±

    ¡°One reason. Andras.¡± Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed on the dark elf as he gestured at the titan.

    ¡°The neck!¡± Andras cupped his hands over his mouth, a gust of wind carrying his frantic voice. ¡°No need to get too close. Block the fire. Heal him!¡±

    ¡°That faction is amazing.¡± Rose joined Joe¡¯s side, admiring the last of the skater faction as they whizzed further up the conveyor belt, and shifted to another platform like an acrobatic team.

    ¡°They¡¯re setting into place for the next battle.¡± Joe waved Dawn over. ¡°As soon as the timer hits two seconds, launch your attack so we can engage.¡±

    He searched the area around the titan for Ryan and the Blanche Brigade, but there was still no sight of them.

    Joe: Ryan, you guys alright. We¡¯re about to lock in battle.

    Still no answer.

    A creeping dread filled Joe.

    Loud mechanical gears creaked, the four heads clanked against the steel cables as its body slowly fell to the floor. Walls of the warehouse shook, and the conveyor belt platforms swayed.

    [Congratulations Andras Alliance! Floor Three Titan Mecha-King Apollycon has been defeated. Floor Four is unlocked for all ascenders. Proceed with caution to your designated zones.]

    Disgust replaced Dawn¡¯s fierce determination as Andras crossed his arms, displaying a smug look. ¡°Looks like Andras got the score he was looking for.¡±

    The clang of TJ¡¯s machete struck the invisible wall behind them. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for this conveyor belt blocking me from going down there, I¡¯d let him have what he needs.¡±

    Standing motionless and enjoying the slow ride, Andras nodded to an ascender. ¡°Go ahead, and collect your loot. Fifty-six people in my faction alliance, and we will all benefit from my hard work and skilled leadership.¡± His voice reeked of deceit.

    ¡°Liar!¡± Dawn scoffed. ¡°He¡¯s like an attention whore bragging about their 3000 friends on social media, but how many of them actually wish you a happy birthday?¡±

    Joe¡¯s shoulders shook with laughter. ¡°Let him claim them, we¡¯ve got the Blanche Brigade and I think we can count on the Bruiser Battalion to have our backs too. Now we better get out of here and make it up to the fourth floor.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re still blocked by the conveyor belt¡¯s invisible wall.¡± TJ sheathed his machete, looking toward the roof where a single ladder and large pipe extended outward. ¡°Only way is up.¡±

    ¡°If we run on the conveyor, our speed will quicken the pace.¡± Joe lunged, preparing a stance to sprint. ¡°But, remember to dodge the chains and pools of blood.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hands glowed. ¡°We¡¯ll have to fight our way to the top.¡±

    Joe glanced up, a group of ascenders waited at an upper platform. He made eye contact with one, a hillbilly hybrid with a gold tooth grin, who pounded his fists together and followed up with a swing into an uppercut motion.

    ¡°Wait a second.¡± Rose glanced back at the roller derby girls as they leapt from one platform to another. The metal railing clinked as she tapped her staff in their direction. ¡°You still got your rope, Joe?¡±

    Retrieving the paracord, Joe stood back up. He followed Rose¡¯s gaze to a steel cable that stretched the length of the warehouse. ¡°Did they have a circus where you came from?¡±

    ¡°Do they ever?¡± Rose grinned as she extended her staff across the cable. Joe looped and knotted the paracord around two central points. She tugged on the staff. It held firm against the cable, the thorns extending from it secured it further. ¡°Hold on tight!¡±

    Joe and Dawn leapt on one side, while TJ grabbed the other beside Rose. In an instant they launched over the railing, the zing of her staff against the steel echoed, but TJ¡¯s long yodel is what grabbed the attention of Andras.

    In moments, they kicked their feet against the metal spool and released their grips, landing on static ground. Rose grinned as she slid her hand over the thorn as it retracted. ¡°Oooh, nice. An off-label skill for my weapon.¡±

    As the exit finally came into view, their ghostly tour guide was still droning on, oblivious to their absence. ¡°That concludes our tour of The Facility. If you¡¯d like to know more, there¡¯s a companion guide available for the low price of two years. It¡¯s practically a steal! Have a pleasant day, and please come visit us again soon!¡±

    Joe shook his head, the absurdity of it all barely sinking in before his interface pinged.

    Nick: Crit Hit taken. Go on without us.

    The smile dropped off Joe¡¯s face.

    ¡°We should help them.¡± Rose planted her staff down, sending a sharp echo through the warehouse.

    ¡°No,¡± TJ cut in, his tone firm but not unkind. ¡°If Ryan¡¯s hurt, we¡¯ve gotta trust that Gaia and the others¡¯ got it handled. They¡¯ll find us when they can. But Brian? He¡¯s running out of time.¡±

    Resolve filled Rose''s voice. ¡°A critical hit is serious. I could go to them and catch up to you on the fourth floor.¡±

    Dawn exhaled. ¡°I hear you, but Brian¡¯s got to be our focus right now. If we split up, you¡¯re on your own here until you reach the others, and this place is swarming with Andras¡¯ goons.¡± She looked at Joe who nodded.

    ¡°We stick together and do what needs to be done.¡±

    Joe: Stay safe guys. See you on the fourth.¡±

    Busting open the warehouse door, Joe set off at a dead sprint toward the zone inter-exchange, his chest tight with the pressure of that ticking clock hanging over Brian¡¯s head.

    They had to find the Time Hacker¡ªfast.

    Time¡¯s ticking, buddy. Hang on.

 Chapter 36: Time to Poke Some Buttons

    Joe crunched down on one of Brian¡¯s healing pellets as he bolted through the zone interchange. TJ sprinted ahead like his life depended on it, slamming the elevator button like a button-mashing gamer in a platform fighter game. ¡°What¡¯s taking the damn thing so long?¡±

    The elevator doors opened and they rushed in.

    Joe zoned out the corny elevator music, his mind spiraling through worst-case scenarios of Ryan¡¯s injuries. The elevator doors finally slid open, and a blast of cool air hit him as they stepped out onto the fourth floor. The sound of tiny footsteps echoed down the winding corridors, where lightning streaks crackled along the walls.

    Dawn led the way, testing the ground with caution. With every step, the floor lit up beneath her boots like something straight out of an ¡®80s music video. The walls, meanwhile, looked like a weird mashup of biology diagrams and alien tech, giving the whole place a surreal vibe. Rose trailed behind, eyes wide, clearly not a fan of the setting.

    By the time Joe joined them, Dawn had crouched low, and Rose was already hovering over her, hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°You alright?¡± Rose asked, pulling out a pellet from her tin. ¡°This¡¯ll help with the mana sickness.¡±

    Dawn waved her off, slowly standing. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ve got my own. Should¡¯ve taken one in the elevator, but figured I¡¯d tough it out. You keep yours.¡± She popped one of her own pellets into her mouth, grimacing like she¡¯d just chewed on a wet sock. ¡°Still awful, though.¡±

    ¡°Definitely an acquired taste.¡± Rose slipped her tin back into her pack. She spun her staff with a practiced flick, spraying a cooling mist into the air to fend off the heat that seemed to cling to them like a heavy blanket.

    Joe eyed the walls. They looked like they were made of brain cells, crackling with electrical sparks shooting between the synapses. ¡°Freaky. But at least the walls aren¡¯t trying to eat us. Yet.¡±

    Opening the alliance chat, he fired off a quick message.

    Joe: Not sure what the theme is on this floor, but whatever you do, don¡¯t touch the walls¡ªunless you¡¯re into electrocution.

    He glanced at his boots, hoping they were rubber-soled. Just in case.

    TJ: Great. Another floor, another chance to get zapped. Guess we should expect the unexpected.

    Dawn: The only constant is change.

    Rose: Should we head to the common room?

    Joe: Good place to start, but don¡¯t expect the Time Hacker to be sitting there with a welcome banner and snacks.

    TJ: How do we even begin to find him? Nothing here looks familiar. Can¡¯t afford to get lost, either.

    Dawn: I¡¯ll check my map.

    They kept walking, but Dawn suddenly slowed, her eyes darting around like she was seeing something they couldn¡¯t. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ interesting.¡±

    Joe shot her a sideways glance. ¡°What did you find?¡±

    Dawn¡¯s expression was focused, almost trance-like, as she scanned the area. ¡°I¡¯ve got map-enhanced vision now. I can see hidden rooms.¡± She stopped dead in her tracks, gripping Joe¡¯s arm with a tight squeeze. ¡°That¡¯s not all. There are different colored dots on my map.¡±

    Joe frowned, glancing between her and the chat. ¡°And?¡±

    TJ: Spit it out already!

    Rose gave TJ a look, wagging a finger at him. ¡°Give her a sec, will you? She¡¯s obviously spotted something big.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°We¡¯re not alone. We¡¯re not the first ascenders on this floor.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach dropped.

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± TJ slowed to a stop. ¡°Where? How do you know? Who is it?¡±

    Dawn took a breath. ¡°Most dots are just low-level creatures infesting the tower, but there¡¯s one that¡¯s blinking in and out. I caught it for a second. QRL 22. Silver Ranked ascender.¡±

    Joe¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°The Time Hacker?¡±

    Dawn shrugged, still in deep thought. ¡°Could be. I don¡¯t know for sure.¡±

    Joe let out a short laugh. ¡°Blinking in and out like a glitchy NPC. Great.¡± The mighty Time Hacker, just another dude messing with the system like a wizard hiding behind a curtain. The guy could probably set his QRL to anything he wanted, just to mess with them.

    TJ: We should check out where he last popped up. Maybe he¡¯ll come back.

    Joe: Or maybe we¡¯re wasting time. I¡¯ve got a feeling we¡¯ll only find him if he wants us to.

    Dawn quickened her pace. ¡°He¡¯s looking to connect with every ascender, but he¡¯s not gonna give away his location that easily. Once this floor fills up, he¡¯ll move on.¡±

    Joe swallowed hard. It wouldn¡¯t be long before other ascenders caught up.

    Joe: Maybe if he felt threatened, he¡¯d come out of hiding.

    The blue flame flared up in his chest, radiating smug heat. ¡°Finally, a useful thought.¡±

    Rose: And what about the Lich? If he catches on, we¡¯re screwed.

    Joe: That¡¯s why we¡¯re heading to the common room, acting like everything¡¯s fine. Maybe Poppy can keep the Lich distracted.

    A message flashed in the chat.

    Gaia: Ryan¡¯s stable for now. No time for details. Some factions are already at the exit. The common room¡¯s going to be packed.

    Joe bit the inside of his cheek, his mind racing.

    Joe: Alright, so we¡¯re gonna have company. We need a way to draw out the Time Hacker without attracting attention.

    They walked in tense silence until Dawn nudged Joe. ¡°Map¡¯s lighting up like a Christmas tree. Something¡¯s weird about these ascender movements though. They¡¯re all bypassing the common rooms and heading straight out onto the floor.¡±

    Arriving at the entrance to the Orange Zone common room, Dawn pushed open the door. ¡°Take a look and see for yourself.¡±

    TJ slipped past them, scanning the room. ¡°Where the hell is everybody?¡±

    Joe stepped inside, eyes sweeping the area. It was eerily deserted. Ascenders usually crowded the common rooms to rest, heal up, and strategize. But now? It was like a ghost town.

    ¡°Given the carnage on the last floor, I know there had to be a few factions respawn here.¡±

    TJ turned in a slow circle, locking onto the food and drink station. Its gleaming surface crackled with lightning sparks, like it had undergone a serious upgrade. ¡°Not complaining there¡¯s no queue for something to eat, but this is weird.¡±

    ¡°Wonder if it¡¯s this quiet in the green and red zones?¡± Joe glanced back toward the elevators.

    Dawn frowned. ¡°Common rooms are safe zones, so I¡¯ve got no information on ascenders inside those areas.¡±

    Everyone stood still, tension hanging in the air.

    The blue flame stirred inside Joe. ¡°There¡¯s only one way to find out, isn¡¯t there?¡±

    Joe gestured for them to follow. In a few minutes they stood there staring at the graying, less vibrant walls, with weaker rippling pulses. Walking past the empty chairs, broken glass and paper cups crunched beneath their boots.

    Joe picked up one of the leaflets scattered on the long table. ¡°Andras¡¯ propganda.¡±

    ¡°This place is a shithole.¡± TJ kicked an empty bottle, it clinked across the concrete floor before crashing into a gray wall, pieces of glass shattering. His eyes darted from one section to the next. ¡°Where¡¯s the vending machine and food cart?¡±

    Rose shrugged. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s only tap water for these folk.¡± She pointed to a faucet, a tower of paper cups lining the sink looked like it was about to topple.

    Dawn crouched and picked up a bottle and thin boxed packet. She tilted the glass, light catching a white liquid slowly dripping along the inside. ¡°This isn¡¯t from the drink machine¡ªthey don¡¯t have one.¡± Her thumb grazed the black label of the packet and shuffled a thinly rolled paper out of the top. ¡°Eternity Stick.¡±

    ¡°Save them for Brian. He and Grizzle can see what¡¯s inside the residue once they¡¯re in their alchemy lab.¡± Joe crossed his arms. ¡°Based on the propaganda littered everywhere, my bet is that Andras has something to do with them.¡±

    TJ groaned, popping another mana pellet into his mouth.

    Joe sent a quick message to the alliance chat, giving the Blanche Brigade a heads up.

    Joe: We¡¯re in the Red Zone. It¡¯s pretty quiet here too. Poppy, where¡¯s that cute little fedora?

    Poppy danced across the screen, sporting her fedora and sunglasses. ¡°What is it Joe?¡±

    Joe: I¡¯m starting to worry. Are you the eyes and ears for the Lich, or is it something else?

    Poppy: I speak to Lich Master, but don¡¯t see all things everywhere.

    Joe twisted the cord of his hoodie, glancing around the Red Zone.

    Joe: There¡¯s been all these rumors about the Lich having a phylactery. I hope he¡¯s keeping it safe.

    Poppy: Safe, safe. Yes, must be kept safe. No need worry.

    Joe: Ah, but Poppy, I am. Ryan has a confessional skill and he¡¯s concerned ascenders are working together to hunt down the Lich¡¯s phylactery. I only thought I should let you know¡­just in case.

    Poppy adjusted her fedora, her tail swishing back and forth in erratic motions.

    Poppy: Be right back. Lich is resting, but very busy too.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Poppy¡¯s avatar glided off the screen. In its place a notification blinked.

    [Notification: Alliance Chat. POKE_Master wants to send you a message. Accept: Yes/No?]

    ¡°Did you see that?¡± Joe¡¯s gaze drifted to his faction, Rose¡¯s eyes widened while Dawn¡¯s brows furrowed.Dawn narrowed her eyes at the notification. ¡°Who the hell is POKE_Master, and why are they gate-crashing our alliance chat?¡±

    TJ smirked. ¡°Hit yes, and we¡¯ll find out.¡±

    Rose looked skeptical. ¡°What if it¡¯s Andras or one of his cronies? We should ignore it and focus on finding the Time Hacker.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°I think POKE_Master is the Time Hacker.¡±

    Dawn shot him a curious glance. ¡°And how do you know that?¡±

    Joe tugged on the cords of his hoodie, thinking back. ¡°POKE is an old-school programming function from computers like the C64 and Spectrum. My dad used to play around with it. It was used to cheat, modify game mechanics, change graphics¡ªbasically, hack the system.¡±

    TJ shrugged. ¡°No idea what any of that means, but if you say it¡¯s the Time Hacker, that¡¯s good enough for me.¡±

    Dawn crossed her arms. ¡°So, assuming you¡¯re right, do we give him access to our chat?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s being polite.¡± Joe shrugged. ¡°If he wanted in, I bet he could crack our alliance chat without asking.¡±

    Rose¡¯s gaze flicked between them. ¡°So, we all agree? Do we hit yes?¡±

    Joe glanced at the others. Rose gave a confident nod, and Dawn gestured for him to continue. All eyes turned to TJ.

    TJ: What¡¯re you waiting for? Hit yes already!

    Joe took a breath and selected ¡®yes¡¯ to accept the incoming message.

    POKE_Master: Meet me in the Red Zone.

    TJ burst out laughing. ¡°We¡¯re already here, genius.¡±

    Joe winced. ¡°No, that¡¯s not what he means.¡± He scratched his head, pulling harder on the hoodie strings. ¡°He wants to use us to send a message to the other ascenders.¡±

    Rose rolled her eyes. ¡°Well, that was a little underwhelming. I was expecting some deep, mysterious ¡®multiverse secrets¡¯ revelation.¡±

    Joe¡¯s thoughts briefly flicked to Poppy¡¯s assurances that the Lich was busy and distracted. He didn¡¯t want to take any chances, though.

    Joe: POKE_Master, we know you¡¯re the Time Hacker. No need for games. From one hacker to another, you may be the master of this system, but every system runs on hardware, and hardware can be shut down.

    TJ: If that¡¯s true, why hasn¡¯t the Lich done it already?

    Joe frowned. ¡°This tower isn¡¯t just a machine. It¡¯s alive. Shutting it down is a last resort. But if the Time Hacker keeps sending broadcasts to the masses, the Lich might be forced to risk damaging the tower¡¯s central nervous system to block him.¡±

    Joe¡¯s pulse quickened as he waited for the Time Hacker¡¯s reply.

    Joe: We can help you avoid that. You need a backup plan before the Lich makes his move. Interested in hearing more?

    POKE_Master: I¡¯m curious what you think you could possibly know that I don¡¯t.

    Curiosity killed the cat. Joe resisted the urge to grin.

    Joe: This tower is powered by a convergence of Quantum Threads, and some of those threads are invisible to the system.

    POKE_Master: How do you know about that?

    Gaia chimed in.

    Gaia: All-knowing ex-goddess here. My Quantum Sense lets me see what others can¡¯t.

    TJ: Yeah, she¡¯s an ex-goddess but I¡¯ve seen her do her thing. It¡¯s legit.

    Grizzle: We¡¯ve also read all the manuals in the alchemy and crafting room about the tower¡¯s origins.

    Joe pressed on.

    Joe: Now, think about it¡ªif the tower is ever under threat, whether from inside or outside, where¡¯s the central nervous system that detects the danger and shuts everything down?

    Suddenly, Poppy¡¯s cheerful avatar waved across Joe¡¯s vision.

    Joe cleared his throat. ¡°Hey Poppy, glad you¡¯re back. Everything okay?¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip, Joe!¡±

    Joe smiled. Poppy¡¯s cheerful energy was hard to ignore. ¡°Hey, Poppy. After our last chat about the Lich and threats to the tower, it got me thinking. If the tower itself gets attacked, from inside or outside¡­ what happens?¡±

    Poppy bobbed her head, tail swishing. ¡°If CNS¡ªcentral nervous system¡ªattacked? Tower goes... boom-boom! Shut down, deep sleep mode. Lockdown! Only life support stays! No system, no access! Only Poppy and Lich get through! We protect! Grrr!¡± She mimed a kaiju roar, small claws raised menacingly.

    Joe chuckled at her antics, but the gravity of it settled. ¡°Right. Makes sense. Every surface in this tower is alive, so it easily senses threats. No escaping that.¡±

    Switching back to the alliance chat, Joe sent a message.

    Joe: Let¡¯s make a deal, Time Hacker. You help us save a friend who¡¯s been wronged by the system, and we¡¯ll help you keep access to the system in the event of a shut-down.

    POKE_Master: I do not need your help. I¡¯m no charity. I provide the spark for you to free yourselves. I invited you to the Red Zone to amplify my efforts. If the Titan Slayers support me, others will follow.

    Joe¡¯s jaw clenched as he read the message, frustration rising. Before he could respond, Dawn leaned in, whispering, ¡°We need to show this guy we¡¯re not his meat puppets. I¡¯ve got the location of the CNS on this floor. Let¡¯s go hit it.¡±

    Joe nodded. ¡°It¡¯s time to bring him around to our way of thinking.¡±

    Dawn made a hand signal to TJ and Rose and led them out of the Red Zone common room.

    The corridor stretched ahead, twisting into blind corners. The walls, a tangled mess of neuron-like cells, pulsed with a slick, organic sheen. Electrical impulses darted along the surface, lighting up in erratic bursts, like lightning trapped under skin. The hum under Joe''s feet vibrated with every step, as if the tower itself was reacting to their presence. Small shapes scurried in and out of the shadows, making Joe wonder if they were the shoe-stealing critters he¡¯d heard rumors about or something way worse.

    Dawn led the way, her steps confident but deliberate. Joe quickened his pace to match hers, watching as she flicked between her map and the twisting, living architecture around them. The walls seemed to close in as they went deeper, almost like the cells forming the walls were reaching out but recoiling the second Joe looked at them.

    Overhead, clusters of dendritic cells hung low like a creepy canopy, twitching with each pulse of electricity, casting long, flickering shadows that danced like mischievous sprites.

    The air had this metallic, ozone smell to it¡ªlike the kind of electric charge right before a lightning strike. Hairs rose on the nape of Joe¡¯s neck.

    TJ groaned from the back, sounding as irritated as a kid on a long car ride. ¡°Are we nearly there yet? Wherever ¡®there¡¯ is?¡±

    Dawn didn¡¯t answer right away, her focus still locked on her map. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re close.¡±

    A notification flashed in Joe¡¯s vision, and the alliance chat popped up:

    Dawn: Put your thinking caps on. We need to trigger the tower¡¯s defense mechanisms without getting fried.

    TJ: Want me to punch a hole in the wall?

    Dawn gave him a flat look. ¡°Seriously?¡±

    TJ shrugged, cracking his knuckles. ¡°What? Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution.¡±

    Rose ran her fingers along the wall and then yanked them back with a wince, flicking her hand. ¡°Not sure brute force is gonna work, TJ. I think we¡¯re more likely to get electrocuted.¡±

    Joe chuckled. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a one-way ticket to fried Ascender. There¡¯s enough juice in these walls to fry us up like bacon. We need to think this through. Elemental skills could trigger a defense response, but which one?¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hands lit up with a fiery glow. ¡°How about fire?¡±

    Joe shuddered at the thought. ¡°Not unless you want to end up as crispy critters. We¡¯ll just trigger an aggressive response and get ourselves killed.¡±

    He thought about that movie with the rapidly evolving alien life forms. The army had napalmed them, and they just got bigger. Should¡¯ve listened to the scientists.

    ¡°What about water?¡± Rose suggested.

    ¡°Or earth?¡± TJ cracked his knuckles. The guy was always eager to hit something.

    Joe had a feeling that all of those would trigger some Kaiju-sized immune response, but he knew someone who¡¯d know for sure. ¡°Hey, Poppy,¡± he called out. ¡°What happens if someone tries to burn a hole in the tower walls or water-damage the screens?¡±

    Poppy¡¯s 8-bit avatar blinked into his vision, her tail swishing with excitement. ¡°Hmm¡­ primary defense trigger! Titan Phagocytes activated. They ooze through walls, gobble naughty attackers, and go slurp, slurp! Attackers go bye-bye forever.¡± She grinned, showing sharp little teeth.

    ¡°No respawn?¡± Joe winced.

    ¡°No respawn. Only respawn on floors. Inside tower center? Nope! Phagocyte gobble. Poop out remains at tower base! No come back.¡±

    ¡°What if Poppy triggered the system to shut down?¡±

    ¡°No Lich get mad. Disassemble Poppy!¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t let that happen Poppy,¡± Joe said in a calming voice.

    ¡°No disassemble, Poppy.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s fiery hands immediately dimmed. Joe grimaced. They needed a plan that didn¡¯t involve getting eaten and¡­digested.

    Joe¡¯s mind flashed back to biology class. Vaccines worked by triggering an immune response without actually giving you the disease. Maybe they needed to give the tower a little nudge¡ªa disturbance that would wake up the defenses without getting swallowed by them.

    ¡°So¡­ fire¡¯s out. Water¡¯s out. And earth would probably feel like the tower was getting crushed. But what about wind?¡±

    TJ and Dawn both had wind affinities. That could work.

    Joe leaned forward, eyes scanning the walls as they pulsed and breathed. ¡°Poppy, what happens if we just cause a wind disturbance?¡±

    Poppy tilted her head, thinking. ¡°Wind? Hmm... trigger environmental change. Tower investigates. Ooo, mysterious wind, it would say!¡± Her eyes widened and slowly blinked.

    Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Has it happened before?¡±

    ¡°Nope! Just theory! Fun, right?¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°Alright, Dawn. Try using wind on the surface of the wall. Let¡¯s wake the phagocytes up gently. It¡¯s like an antigen vaccine¡ªjust enough to trigger a response without getting swallowed whole.¡±

    Dawn arched a brow but shrugged. ¡°Worth a shot.¡±

    She raised her hands, and a slow, controlled gust of wind flowed out, circling the surface of the wall. The cells twitched and lit up as she intensified the pressure. Slowly, weird, blobby cells oozed from the walls, sliding down like sluggish slugs. They scouted and probed around their feet, but didn¡¯t attack.

    Joe held his breath, his eyes locked on the strange blobby cells oozing from the walls. He didn¡¯t move until they slid back into the shadows without attacking. ¡°Perfect. Defense system¡¯s awake but not pissed off.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± Dawn muttered, but her gaze stayed fixed on the cells, watching them like they might change their minds. She wiped her palms on her pants, the tension still visible in the tight set of her shoulders. With a quick glance at Joe, she nodded toward the corridor. ¡°Let¡¯s move before they decide we¡¯re breakfast.¡±

    They walked further down the narrowing corridor, the walls thickening into clusters of what looked like nerve bundles. The corridor ended at a large, crystalline panel set into the wall.

    Joe placed his hand on the panel¡ªthe warm, smooth wall pulsed with energy against his palm. He leaned closer, his breath fogging up the surface. ¡°Poppy, this can¡¯t be the main CNS, right? Feels more like an auxiliary node.¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip! Very clever, Joe!¡± Poppy chirped.

    Dawn¡¯s hand slid over the door beside the panel. ¡°It¡¯s locked.¡±

    Joe cracked his neck. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. We don¡¯t need to bust in. We just need to confuse the system long enough to send the Time Hacker a message.¡±

    Dawn stepped forward and released a gentle breeze toward the panel. The crystalline surface flickered like it couldn¡¯t decide whether to register the wind as a threat or not. The lights pulsed in an erratic wave, and a system notification popped into Joe¡¯s vision:

    [Anomaly detected. All system communications offline until further notice.]

    Joe tested the alliance chat. Nothing. It was completely down.

    He shot Dawn a grin. ¡°Looks like we did it. You¡¯ve got a small window before it wakes up.¡±

    TJ cracked his knuckles. ¡°So if the Time Hacker tries to send a livestream right now, he¡¯s cut off?¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Joe winked.

    Rose leaned on her staff. ¡°Bet he¡¯ll be eager to chat once everything¡¯s back online.¡±

    TJ crossed his arms. ¡°Where to now?¡±

    Joe¡¯s gaze swept the corridor. ¡°Back to the common room. Time to wait him out.¡±

    As they walked, another system notification pinged.

    [Self-diagnostic complete. System access to all ascenders restored.]

    Dawn frowned as they reached the common room. ¡°Surprised the Lich hasn¡¯t chimed in yet.¡±

    Joe figured the Lich had his hands full finding a new hiding spot for his phylactery. He shot a quick message in the restored chat:

    Joe: Still think you don¡¯t need our help?

    No response.

    TJ snorted. ¡°I bet he¡¯s sulking.¡±

    The blue flame flickered in Joe¡¯s chest, its voice smug. ¡°Everyone has flaws, except for me, of course. You¡¯ve bruised his ego. Give him time.¡±

    Joe crossed his arms, his patience wearing thin. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for him to piss around. I¡¯m not indulging his ego.¡±

    The flame flared. ¡°Ask Poppy to send him this message: The blood of the Titan remembers. What was once your salvation will now be your reckoning.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t take you for a poet.¡± Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why don¡¯t I just post that in the chat?¡±

    ¡°Trust me. He¡¯ll come to you, if Poppy says it.¡±

    Joe sighed. ¡°Do I have a choice?¡±

    ¡°No, but that¡¯s beside the point. You¡¯re smart enough to know it''s in my own self interest to keep you alive.¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s say I do it your way. How do you know it¡¯ll work?¡±

    The flame flared, heat intensifying in his chest. ¡°It may sound cryptic to you, but the Time Hacker knows what it means, and when he hears Poppy say it, he¡¯ll come to you. I guarantee it.¡±

    The confidence in the flame¡¯s voice settled Joe¡¯s nerves¡ªonly a little. He didn¡¯t entirely trust this strange entity, but so far, it hadn¡¯t steered him wrong.

    Joe exhaled. ¡°Hey Poppy, I need you to deliver a message¡­¡±

 Chapter 37: To Infinity and Beyond

    Poppy stared at Joe, her wide eyes like saucers.

    ¡°Are you okay? Can you do me this favor?¡± Joe asked, hating to put her in such a tight spot, straining her loyalties.

    ¡°Poppy... not sure. Not supposed to talk to Time Hacker.¡± She wrung her little paws together, clearly conflicted.

    ¡°You can just enter it in the alliance chat. The Lich won¡¯t know. For some reason, it has to be you to enter those words.¡±

    Poppy hesitated, but after a moment, she gave Joe a small nod. ¡°For you, Joe... Poppy be brave.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re already the bravest kaiju I know.¡± Joe gave her a reassuring smile.

    With a nervous gulp, Poppy entered the message: The blood of the Titan remembers. What was once your salvation will now be your reckoning.

    Almost instantly, the screen flickered to life. Joe half-expected the Time Hacker¡¯s creepy clown mask to appear, but instead, a bright white symbol started forming in the center of the screen. As it grew larger, he recognized the shape.

    ¡°It looks like an eight lying on its side.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the symbol for infinity in my world,¡± Rose said, tracing the symbol with her finger as an eerie tune played, accompanied by the words: Time is on my side.

    Joe frowned. Was this universal? Or was the Time Hacker someone like the Lich, with knowledge beyond this tower? Someone not exactly... mortal?

    The infinity symbol vanished, replaced by the words: Meet me where time runs infinite.

    Then it was gone, but the weird music kept looping.

    TJ groaned. ¡°Enough with this song! My ears are going to bleed if I have to hear it one more time!¡±

    Dawn chuckled. ¡°Looks like we found your kryptonite, TJ.¡±

    ¡°My krypto-what?¡± TJ blinked, scanning the room for hidden speakers like he was about to tear them apart.

    Joe was about to explain, but TJ¡¯s eyes widened as he pointed toward the door. An infinity symbol faintly shimmered on the scales framing the entrance.

    ¡°Looks like the Time Hacker left us a trail.¡± Rose moved closer to inspect it. ¡°Do we follow?¡±

    ¡°Time might be on his side, but it¡¯s definitely not on ours.¡± Joe bolted for the door as the symbol faded. ¡°We need to find the next one before it disappears.¡±

    TJ rushed ahead, eyes darting left and right, scanning for the next symbol. Joe activated Quick Wit, his senses sharpening as he caught the faint flicker of an infinity symbol down the winding corridor. With a quick glance to the others, he sprinted forward, boots hitting the slick surface as the ground lit up under his soles with each step.

    Electrical sparks danced between dendritic synapses along the ceiling, lighting the way. The symbols appeared, one after another, like beacons¡ªeach flickering briefly before fading, as if challenging them to keep up. The team moved through twisting hallways while the air crackled with a charge that made Joe¡¯s skin tingle.

    ¡°Feels like we¡¯re being led by the balls on a kobold¡¯s fool¡¯s run.¡± TJ grumbled, not slowing down as he took the next bend. ¡°Hope this hacker¡¯s worth the chase, or I¡¯ll be the one sending him into infinity.¡±

    Joe grinned at TJ giving voice to his own fears that they were being led on something as futile as an endless fetch quest. He exhaled in relief as the Battlebox Simulation Hub came into view. A flood of memories hit him from their first training session. A silver infinity symbol glowed on the console. Joe didn¡¯t think twice¡ªhe slapped his hand against it.

    The symbol faded.

    And...nothing.

    ¡°What now?¡± Dawn crossed her arms.

    TJ huffed. ¡°Looks like we chased magical graffiti and now¡­sweet fuck-all!¡±

    Rose examined the console. ¡°Give it a minute. There must be something we¡¯re missing.¡±

    Joe had been sure the door would open. Did he mess up, press the symbol too late? His chest tightened as the silence dragged on.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Joe muttered. ¡°What more do you want from us? ¡®Meet me where time runs infinite¡¯... in the Battlebox, anything¡¯s possible.¡±

    The blue flame in his chest flickered. ¡°Silly mortal, you¡¯re thinking too literally.¡±

    Joe closed his eyes, trying to focus. He slowed his breathing, seeking a deeper connection with the flame. Then teach me the true nature of infinity.

    ¡°You already know. Be like water, my friend.¡±

    Joe¡¯s mind flashed to rivers, oceans, and the endless cycle of water. Energy transforming but never destroyed. Time¡ªendless to mortals¡ªwas a mere blip to those beyond it, like the flame.

    ¡°Nothing is truly infinite.¡± Joe opened his eyes. His hand still pressed against the console, it began to warm. The infinity symbol returned, glowing bright silver, casting a metallic sheen over his palm.

    With a soft whoosh, the door slid open.

    ¡°Now you are deemed worthy of understanding,¡± the blue flame whispered before retreating to the core of Joe¡¯s chest, leaving behind a sense of satisfaction and achievement.

    ¡°Looks like you had a Zen moment there,¡± Dawn said, her tone light but impressed.

    TJ rubbed his hands together, excitement plain on his face. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go meet this Time Hacker and see what the fuss is about.¡±

    Joe took the lead, hope swelling in his chest. They were one step closer to getting Brian the help he desperately needed, before time ran out.

    Stepping inside the Battlebox, Joe blinked, his eyes adjusting to the neon-lit, grid-lined landscape that stretched out before him. It looked nothing like the last time he¡¯d been here. It felt like something out of Tron meets Lawnmower Man with a sprinkle of Star Trek holodeck magic.

    Neon grids flickered underfoot, pulsing with light, while pixelated walls shifted in and out of focus as if they couldn''t decide whether to be solid or virtual. Joe could feel something tugging at the back of his mind, like an invisible hand sifting through his memories, projecting them onto the strange digital canvas around him.

    A thin, metallic voice greeted them, dripping with the kind of charm a rusted blade might have. ¡°Aren¡¯t you full of surprises. Not as dumb as you look.¡±

    Joe¡¯s heart raced as a wave of heat pulsed through him¡ªthe blue flame burning hotter in his chest. "Do not tell him about me, understand?" The flame¡¯s voice was sharp, insistent.

    Joe slowly exhaled, glancing at Poppy¡¯s avatar flickering across his vision. He took strength from her little pixelated smile.

    ¡°You thought this would be a pushover?¡± Joe raised both arms, his voice louder than he intended. ¡°There are no strings attached¡ªI¡¯m not your puppet.¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    A slow clap echoed, hollow and eerie, like a ghostly applause. ¡°Yes, a wooden puppet you are not. You¡¯re a real boy. Congratulations on your enlightenment,¡± the voice mocked. ¡°I jest... But what a marvel that you didn¡¯t flounder on the nature of infinity. I was expecting failure, but I¡¯m not disappointed. You see what the great unwashed masses cannot. That makes you a rather useful champion to my cause.¡±

    TJ sniffed his armpits with exaggerated flair. ¡°Speak for yourself, pissflaps. I smell fucking divine.¡±

    Dawn shot him a sharp look, her voice clipped. ¡°He doesn¡¯t mean literally, genius.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± TJ shrugged, while Rose barely contained a grin.

    The voice returned, smooth and amused, but this time with a thirst to know more. ¡°I¡¯m curious¡ªhow the hell did you become so enlightened?¡±

    The blue flame flared in response, almost as if it were laughing. Joe did his best to remain composed.

    The question hung in the air as the coarse voice remained hidden, obscured by the constantly shifting digital landscape of the Battlebox. The walls and floor flickered, casting strange, jagged shadows that danced in time with the pulsing lights.

    "Lucky guess." Joe cleared his throat as he took a step toward the voice. "Afraid to come out from the shadows?"

    A low chuckle echoed back. "I''m only a shadow of my former self, but if you really want to meet face-to-face..."

    A long, slender leg stretched around the corner, followed by a figure in dingy gray suit pants and a hooded sweatshirt.

    Dawn''s hands began to glow with a pulsing light. "Don¡¯t come any closer.¡±

    Joe''s eyes narrowed on the figure''s frail, sunken face. "No mask to hide behind?"

    The Time Hacker¡¯s withered face wrinkled into a crooked smile. "Afraid of the Touch of Madness, are we?"

    ¡°You¡¯re a hollow, aren¡¯t you?¡± Rose challenged, gripping her staff tightly across her chest.

    Joe shook his head at Dawn, signaling her to stand down. She crossed her arms, though her eyes continued to blaze.

    "Not in the least." The Time Hacker sneered as he approached the table. His bony hand, with skin stretched tight like old parchment, grabbed a chair and pulled it backward to sit. "You have my attention."

    "You still have your soul." Joe tapped his chest, feeling a surge of heat from the blue flame that danced at his fingertips. "We¡¯re here for one thing. You¡¯ve hacked the system, but we¡¯ve done just as much. Time is the one thing we haven¡¯t hacked¡­for our friend."

    The Time Hacker leaned his arms over the back of the chair, smirking. "I know what the hollows have done to your friend. But there are things you still don¡¯t understand."

    TJ slammed his fist into his palm, his face flushed with frustration. "Do you want me to beat it out of you? Brian¡¯s fading with every second!"

    The Time Hacker leaned back, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You get reborn, you take shit. You climb the tower, you take more shit. Climb a little higher, maybe you take less. Until one day, you¡¯re at the glorious jackpot, and you¡¯ve forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the Tower of Immortality, Titan Slayer."

    Joe scratched his jaw. "You¡¯re not telling us anything we don¡¯t already know."

    The Time Hacker gestured toward the table, scattered with leaflets and empty packets. "See that pack of Eternity Sticks on the edge of the table? Everything you need to know about this tower is contained in those thinly veiled promises. You¡¯re drawn to the illusion¡ªthe crystal box with its gleaming insignia, hinting at untold power and endless life. It¡¯s tempting, isn¡¯t it? The idea that these sticks, this climb, are your companions on the way to something greater. But that, Joe, is a lie."

    Joe swallowed hard, his thoughts racing.

    The Time Hacker continued, his tone growing sharper. "Your other self, the one that¡¯s not so easily fooled, is trying to get your attention. It''s looking at the flip side¡ªthe harsh truth written in blunt, black letters. Those neat little fantasies? They¡¯re just death wrapped in glitter. They¡¯re not your friends, Joe; they¡¯re the executioner¡¯s blade dressed up as a savior. And that, Joe, is the truth."

    ¡°Wow, thanks for the lecture.¡± TJ leaned against a neon pillar, arms crossed. ¡°But we¡¯re not the ones who can¡¯t see the woods for the trees.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly why you¡¯re here,¡± the Time Hacker said, voice dripping with condescension. ¡°We¡¯re approaching a nexus, a turning point in this so-called competition. Those magpies, so taken with the crystal jackpot of immortality, need a wake-up call.¡±

    Joe crossed his arms, eyeing the holographic surroundings with suspicion. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just hijack the screens and directly talk to everyone?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s part of the plan,¡± the Time Hacker said. ¡°But I can¡¯t compete with certain influences in the tower, swaying people against my cause. My reach is limited. And as you might guess, I¡¯m not exactly free to do a meet-and-greet.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re talking about Andras, aren¡¯t you?¡± Joe asked, though he already knew the answer.

    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s been a busy little bee, smiling while twisting the knife. It¡¯s a waste of time to call him out. Actions speak louder than words.¡±

    ¡°And you need us to take action?¡± Dawn asked, eyebrow raised. ¡°As far as he¡¯s concerned, you don¡¯t even have to ask twice.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve got more important things to deal with right now,¡± Joe said. ¡°Our friend¡ªBrian.¡±

    The Time Hacker waved a hand, dismissive. ¡°Yes, yes, your alchemist friend. Move on, there are plenty more alchemists in the tower.¡±

    ¡°Ohana!¡± Poppy chirped, appearing in Joe¡¯s vision with a determined little squeak.

    For a split second, the Time Hacker¡¯s gaunt face softened, as if the word had struck a chord. ¡°Everything is stolen by time, including innocence,¡± he said, his hollow eyes locking onto Joe. The weight of his stare left a void, like he was sucking the hope right out of the room.

    Joe¡¯s jaw tightened. Screw your jaded misery. Hope was worth fighting for, and he¡¯d fight to the bitter end.

    ¡°You want our help? We need Brian back on our team before it¡¯s too late. He turns hollow¡ªno deal.¡± Joe held his voice firm, he wasn¡¯t about to let this guy drag him down into his pit of nihilism.

    ¡°You assume I can restore him,¡± the Time Hacker said, sounding bored.

    ¡°No assumptions,¡± Joe shot back. ¡°Unless you¡¯re weaker than you let on, Time Hacker.¡±

    ¡°You wind affinity? ¡®cause you¡¯re full of it¡± TJ added with a snort, arms still crossed, his eyes locked on the Time Hacker.

    The Time Hacker drifted back a step, his tone measured. ¡°I can do it as easily as I could also force you to help me.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead.¡± TJ growled, stepping forward. ¡°First chance I get, I¡¯ll end you.¡±

    ¡°No need for hostility,¡± the Time Hacker said, palms up. ¡°I¡¯m no self-serving scum like the Lich turned out to be. I can help your friend, but are you prepared to pay the price?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± TJ practically jumped down his throat.

    The Time Hacker raised a hand. ¡°Don¡¯t be so eager. I see into your soul banks. None of you have enough time currency to bring him back from time bankruptcy. Even if you all pooled together, it wouldn¡¯t be enough. You¡¯d all end up GORED if you tried.¡±

    ¡°Soul bank? What the hell¡¯s a soul bank?¡± Dawn asked, looking like she was mentally patting herself down in search of it.

    The Time Hacker sighed, as if explaining basic math to a child. ¡°Your soul bank is where your time currency resides. You can¡¯t see or feel it at your low QRL level. Meditation might help you visualize it, but thanks to the system, you can access it through a trade window. Like back on Earth, you don¡¯t need to understand banking to open an account. Although,¡± he added with a glance at Joe, ¡°your AI friend certainly knew its way in and out of your online accounts.¡±

    Joe flushed at the mention of Butler. The others gave him questioning looks, but he waved them off.

    ¡°Okay, so we¡¯ve got soul banks,¡± Joe said, ¡°but GORED ascenders can¡¯t access theirs, right?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. But I have a program that can bridge that gap. It¡¯s called the Eternal Credit Handler for Overdrawn Souls¡ªECHOs, for short. The catch? It only works if other ascenders are willing to donate their time currency to the ejected climber. The system won¡¯t allow a bankrupt climber back without penalties being paid.¡±

    ¡°And if we do that?¡± Dawn asked, her tone making it clear she was more than ready to make it happen.

    ¡°I¡¯ll deploy ECHOs, but it needs enough funding before the system will restore soul bank access to your friend. A trade window will open when they give the command.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a lot of hoops, but we can pull it off,¡± Joe said. ¡°How do we access ECHOs?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s already available through your alliance chat. Download it and it¡¯ll tell you how much time currency is needed. Your challenge is finding ascenders willing to drop down in the ranks.¡±

    Joe grinned, feeling a spark of hope. ¡°Thanks, but I know exactly who to ask.¡±

    He turned to his friends. ¡°Time to pay a visit to the Blanche Brigade on the third floor.¡±

    They took off running, feet pounding the ground as they sprinted toward the elevators. The urgency of Brian¡¯s situation pressed on Joe¡¯s mind, but the blue flame stirred inside him, rising up with that familiar heat. Joe braced himself, fully expecting some snark to follow.

    ¡°Well done," the flame said, its voice smooth with satisfaction. "You¡¯ve impressed me with how you negotiated with the Time Hacker.¡±

    Eh, thanks¡­ I guess. Joe tried to keep his focus, the last thing he needed was a cryptic conversation with his mysterious, fiery companion. But the flame wasn¡¯t exactly easy to ignore, so Joe decided against snapping at it for the distraction.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s time I tell you my name, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Joe¡¯s step faltered for half a second, but he quickly recovered, trying to play it cool. ¡°You¡­ have a name?¡± He grinned, forcing casualness into his voice. ¡°Sure, let¡¯s hear it. Took you long enough.¡±

    Inside, his mind raced. All this time, he¡¯d been convinced the blue flame had forgotten who it was. Now, maybe, just maybe, he¡¯d have information on his soul-hitchhiking companion that would finally give Joe the upper hand.

 Chapter 38: The Name That Sucked

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that¡¯s your real name.¡± Joe whispered as he continued down the hallway. ¡°But what¡¯s worse is that you¡¯ve admitted you¡¯re a soul-sucking parasite.¡±

    ¡°Mana Particles, that is what I consume, and I¡¯ve been the only thing keeping you alive, so you should show more appreciation for my habiting your soul.¡±

    Joe used the alliance chat to arrange a meet-up with the Blanche Brigade in the Orange Zone common room on the third floor. As they approached the door, a few slumped figures huddled near the entrance, heads down, stretching out like they¡¯d been drained dry.

    "Please¡­ help," a voice rasped, like worn-out guitar strings. Pale blue eyes met Joe¡¯s. Despite being ranked for the Orange Zone, the human-looking ascender was gaunt, sickly.

    All around them, the ground was littered with empty cartons of eternity sticks.

    "What do you need, brother?" TJ knelt down, his usual tough-guy tone replaced by concern. "I¡¯ve got some spare healing potions and mana pellets¡­¡±

    ¡°Got any eternity sticks? Just one. We could share.¡± The man¡¯s hand twitched, gesturing to the other strung-out ascenders sprawled nearby, looking even worse.

    Joe¡¯s gut twisted as he realized how bad it was.

    TJ shook his head. ¡°Nah, brother. Only what I mentioned. Maybe you should lay off those sticks.¡±

    The ascender groaned, leaning his head back against the wall, shaking it side to side, hands falling limp. ¡°Nothing else works... nothing but the sticks.¡± His voice was laced with desperation, that raw, hopeless sadness hitting Joe hard.

    Nick appeared at the entrance, holding water bottles and snacks in a brown paper bag. ¡°You made it. Ryan¡¯s waiting for you.¡± He bent down, offering the supplies to the strung-out ascender. When the man refused, Nick placed them beside him with care. ¡°You got to get some strength back. The food and water are mana-infused, courtesy of Grizzle and Luna. If you don¡¯t get up soon, the mana levels will overwhelm you.¡±

    Gaia appeared behind Nick, her expression cold. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time. I¡¯ve seen this a million times before¡ªyou can¡¯t help those who refuse it.¡±

    Joe slipped past the ascenders, knowing Nick had done all he could. Unlike Andras, who had left them with just enough of a supply to get hooked and then discarded them, these guys had been left to rot. Even with time currency, they couldn¡¯t buy more through the trade window. Andras controlled the supply of the eternity sticks, and now they were too weak to ascend the next floor. He¡¯d discarded them like trash.

    Seeing Ryan in the booth made Joe¡¯s heart sink further.

    Despite his injury, Ryan forced a smile, but Joe could see the pain lurking behind his eyes. Luna and Grizzle were propping him up, his skin a sickly gray sheen, like someone fighting off a fever. Hoodie discarded to the side, his right arm was a mess¡ªangry red lacerations, black and green mottled patches creeping up his hand, making it look like he was wearing a rotting glove. The infection was spreading.

    Crumpled pressure bandages lay nearby, soaked through with blood and some eerie green liquid.

    ¡°We leave you alone for a bit and this happens? What the hell, man?¡± TJ kept his tone light, but there was concern beneath the humor as he placed a hand on Ryan¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch.¡± Ryan winced, trying to turn his arm over.

    Gaia appeared at his side with a fresh bandage. ¡°Hold still, don¡¯t be such a baby.¡± She slathered a poultice over the wounds. ¡°This smells disgusting Grizzle. If I find that tentacled, shitwit rogue who took Ryan down, I¡¯m gonna rip her innards out and feed them to her.¡±

    Ryan cocked his head. ¡°Whoa, Gaia. It¡¯s not like you to spew so many profanities. If it¡¯s too much, Luna can handle it.¡±

    Luna stepped forward, but Gaia slapped her hand away. ¡°I¡¯ll do it. It¡¯s the least I can do after your stupid heroics saved me. And for the record,¡± she tied off the bandage with a flourish, ¡°I don¡¯t spew profanities. I enunciate them clearly, like a fucking goddess.¡±

    Ryan¡¯s laugh triggered a chorus of chuckles from the group. Even Gaia had a twitch of a smile on her lips, though she quickly hid it.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a stash of potions and pills that might help.¡± TJ offered the tin. ¡°Brian made plenty.¡±

    Grizzle shook his head, his expression grim. ¡°Unfortunately, healing potions aren¡¯t doing the job. That green ooze from floor three¡ªit¡¯s worse than we thought. Ryan had the bad luck of falling right into it.¡±

    Gaia sighed. ¡°You¡¯ve got that magical mobile chemistry set and handheld scope, surely they can tell you something.¡±

    ¡°They did.¡± Grizzle swallowed hard. ¡°At first, I thought my scope was faulty. There are tiny moving particles in the sample. Whatever it is, I think it¡¯s infected Ryan.¡±

    Rose¡¯s eyes softened with sympathy. ¡°Is that why the wound isn¡¯t healing, despite all the potions?¡±

    Grizzle paled. ¡°It¡¯s worse than that. The wound isn¡¯t healing because... the skin and everything underneath... it¡¯s changing.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°Changing into what?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know,¡± Luna said, her voice trembling.

    Joe examined the skin above Ryan¡¯s bandage. What he¡¯d assumed was dry skin had a greenish, scaly appearance. His mind flashed to movies and books where mutagens created superheroes or villains. But here? With magic in the mix? These particles were hijacking Ryan¡¯s DNA, transforming him. Into what, he didn¡¯t know.

    Ryan caught Joe¡¯s worried stare and pulled his arm back under the table. ¡°No fussing. I¡¯m left-handed, and I can still pistol-whip anyone who tries me.¡± He forced a grin. ¡°Have you figured out a way to save Brian? How much time¡¯s left?¡±

    ¡°A little more than an hour.¡± TJ leaned in, hands gripping the table. ¡°We found a way to bring him back, but we need your help.¡±

    Joe explained the ECHOs program and how it worked. ¡°There¡¯s a time penalty involved, and he needs enough time currency to get out of the red. Our goal is to boost him to the Orange Zone so he can recover.¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Gaia scoffed. "Are you mad or just plain stupid? Even if Ryan was dumb enough to donate time currency, you''d still come up short. He can¡¯t afford to drop in the ranks either."

    ¡°We¡¯re not stupid, and if you¡¯d shut up for a second and let Joe explain,¡± TJ shot back.

    Gaia pinched the bridge of her nose. ¡°Gah, never mind, Joe. Your brain is infected with nuclear-grade ignorance. I heard there¡¯s a clinical study looking for volunteers. You¡¯d be the perfect candidate. Contact [email protected]</a>.¡±

    Joe frowned. ¡°Give it a rest, Gaia. No one has time for your guilt-ridden put-downs. Ryan risked his life for you, which is probably humbling for an ex-goddess who¡¯s used to friends stabbing her in the back.¡±

    ¡°Gods and their ilk are pricks if you ask me,¡± Dawn added, deadpan. ¡°You should be grateful to be surrounded by people who tolerate your grandiose bullshit.¡±

    Gaia¡¯s face hardened as she stared between Dawn and Joe.

    Nick stepped up. ¡°We¡¯re in.¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡± Luna placed a hand on Nick¡¯s shoulder.

    Grizzle nodded. ¡°You¡¯ve got my time.¡±

    Ryan smiled, though sweat continued to soak his tank. ¡°Just tell us what to do.¡±

    Joe guided them through the process of opening the trade window, making the transfer.

    When it was done, Ryan looked at Gaia.

    Gaia crossed her arms, clearly struggling with the decision. ¡°Fine. But this better not make us look like a bunch of pushovers.¡±

    Dawn grinned. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll set the record straight.¡±

    Gaia grudgingly shook Joe¡¯s hand. Once the ECHOs program was primed and ready, Joe cleared his throat. ¡°We better head off. We need to reach floor two before the mana levels spike too high for us to stand the intensity.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going with you.¡± Gaia placed the unused bandages on the table.

    ¡°I think you¡¯re needed here with Ryan.¡± Joe watched as Ryan struggled to his feet, mopping his brow.

    Rose rushed over and sprayed some cooling mist. ¡°We might not be able to cure you, but we can treat the symptoms.¡±

    ¡°If Gaia wants to go, there must be a good reason,¡± Ryan said, his tone trusting.

    Gaia flashed a smug smile. ¡°This Brian friend of yours? He¡¯s going to need time to recover his mana.¡± She raised her wrist, the light glinted off the golden jewelry. ¡°With this bracelet, I can create a protective bubble to get him to the fourth floor safely.¡±

    Joe kicked himself for not thinking of that earlier. He looked at Ryan.

    ¡°You have my blessing,¡± Ryan said, his voice shaky. ¡°Maybe Rose can stay and help me manage the fever.¡±

    TJ gripped Ryan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Easy there, big guy. I got you.¡±

    Ryan gave him a grateful smile.

    Joe hesitated. Gaia was a powerful sorceress, and Ryan would miss her support. Nick was a ranger, Luna a warrior, and Grizzle could provide healing, but they¡¯d lack a caster for ranged damage.

    ¡°Hey, TJ, how about you stick with Ryan and grind some monsters to dust? And if any of Andras¡¯ cronies show up, you know what to do.¡±

    ¡°That sneaky bastard is up to something.¡± Dawn shook her head. ¡°Pushing those Eternity Sticks and using factions as doughboys on the fourth floor? It¡¯s troubling.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they make them think they¡¯re invincible.¡± Grizzle glanced in the direction of the man sprawled out on the floor. ¡°And Andras isn¡¯t facing any consequences for leaving these ascenders strung out.¡±

    ¡°If justice doesn¡¯t catch up to him, we will.¡± TJ pounded his fist.

    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s settled.¡± Ryan inhaled a shaky breath. ¡°Gaia goes with Joe and Dawn. Rose and TJ stay with me, Grizzle, Luna and Nick.¡±

    ***

    Joe kept his breath slow and steady, trying to ease the growing tension that seemed to hang in the air like an invisible weight. The silence between them was thick, awkward, and unbearable. He was sure Dawn and Gaia were throwing each other dirty looks behind his back, but he didn¡¯t dare glance to confirm.

    The deeper they descended, the heavier the air became, like a crushing weight pressing on his chest. Joe¡¯s stomach coiled and flipped as if something venomous slithered through him, poisoning his insides.

    Desperate for a distraction, he searched for neutral ground to talk about, something that wouldn¡¯t spark a war. ¡°So, Gaia, this quantum sense¡ªcan you see threads all over the place? Where do they come from?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see the threads,¡± Gaia said coolly, lagging a step behind them. ¡°I envision them. They come in different colors, depending on their affinity. I have some sense of their origins, but it¡¯s like background microwave radiation¡ªonly so far back can be seen. As a goddess, I was aware of them threading through the multiverse, connecting everything, everywhere, all at once.¡±

    ¡°The bracelet isn''t simply a fancy accessory, then.¡± Dawn kept in stride with Joe, though beads of sweat had formed on her brow. She wiped it away, holding her head high despite the obvious strain from the oppressive mana in the air.

    Joe noticed and quietly offered her a mana pellet. This time, she accepted it with a grateful nod, chewing through gritted teeth.

    ¡°The bracelet has many uses,¡± Gaia said, her voice tinged with superiority. ¡°But explaining them to your feeble mortal minds would be pointless. Simply put, I¡¯ll use it to prevent mana poisoning when Brian returns to the system.¡±

    Dawn snorted. ¡°Feeble mind? Please.¡± She tapped her temple with a smirk. ¡°I¡¯m a paladin, with a direct line to one of the few gods who aren¡¯t total assholes.¡± She said this with a deliberate glance toward Gaia, as if waiting for a reaction. ¡°You can thank me for how quick we¡¯ll find Brian, by the way. I used my power of suggestion¡ªGnawing Doubt¡ªto bind him to a specific area on the second floor.¡±

    ¡°Otherwise, he¡¯d be wandering all over the place,¡± Joe said, chin slightly raised. ¡°And since he¡¯s off the grid, being one of the GORED, we wouldn¡¯t be able to track him on Dawn¡¯s map.¡±

    Gaia arched a brow. ¡°Nobody likes a braggart.¡±

    ¡°Ha! That¡¯s rich coming from you,¡± Dawn shot back, shoving the door to the second floor open with a flourish of confidence. ¡°Let me show you where¡ª¡±

    She abruptly cut off, eyes fixed on the floor. Joe followed her gaze into the area beyond the door.

    ¡°Where is he? I thought you said he¡¯d be here,¡± Gaia asked, her voice lacking its usual sarcasm. She sounded genuinely concerned.

    Joe rushed in, kicking up dust with every step. The place was endless and empty, nothing but barren space and rocky outcroppings. He checked the time left for Brian and felt like a bowling ball had dropped into the pit of his stomach.

    ¡°Brian! Come on, buddy, show yourself!¡± His voice echoed in the emptiness.

    Gaia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at Dawn. ¡°All that effort¡­ and you¡¯ve lost him. You dragged us through this mess, and now¡ªhe¡¯s gone.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s face tightened, but she stayed silent, her eyes locked on the ground, visibly trying to keep her composure.

    Joe had enough. ¡°Shut the hell up, Gaia,¡± he snapped, turning to face her, eyes blazing with frustration. ¡°We¡¯re in this together. We¡¯re not giving up.¡±

    Gaia opened her mouth to retort, but the look on Joe¡¯s face stopped her. She crossed her arms, lips pressed tight, but said nothing more.

    Joe¡¯s voice softened a bit as he glanced at Dawn. ¡°We¡¯ve come too far to let this slip away now. We¡¯ll find him.¡±

    Dawn gave Joe a small nod of gratitude, determination flickering back in her eyes as they moved forward together.

    With Quick Wit active, Joe scanned the area. At first, there was nothing¡ªonly the usual dead silence. Then, faintly, he heard it. A low groan from behind a distant boulder.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Dawn asked as Joe¡¯s pace quickened.

    ¡°There¡¯s something¡ªor someone¡ªbehind that boulder.¡± Joe¡¯s pulse raced.

    Gaia and Dawn hurried to catch up.

    A louder groan echoed, closer this time. Dawn grabbed Joe¡¯s arm, her voice tense. ¡°Could be a hollow.¡±

    Joe nodded. He knew that was a real possibility, but his pulse raced with the hope that it wasn¡¯t. ¡°What if it¡¯s Brian?¡± He pulled away, heart threatening to bust through his ribcage as he sprinted towards the boulder.

 Chapter 39: The Hollow Reckoning

    Grunting noises echoed around the rocks, low and guttural¡ªlike the sound of a hollow. Joe could barely breathe as they rounded the boulder, every muscle tense, bracing for the worst. But when they came around the corner, it wasn¡¯t some mindless hollow.

    It was Brian.

    The sight hit Joe like a punch to the gut.

    Hunched over with knees pulled tight to his chest, he rocked back and forth like a terrified child. His eyes, once sharp and full of life, were empty now, vacant. The man who¡¯d been looking for his vape pen just hours ago no longer seemed to recognize them.

    "Brian?" Joe¡¯s voice cracked, but there was no response. Only more rocking, more muttering.

    "The place looks deserted, but who knows what the monster respawn rate is on these tower floors." Gaia¡¯s voice was still stiff but had lost some of its usual iciness. She stood like a statue, though her eyes held something else¡ªmaybe pity, maybe something more. "Do what you need to get Brian out of his stupor. I¡¯m not good at that sort of thing, so I¡¯ll keep watch."

    "Thanks, Gaia." Dawn gave her a look that said she truly meant it. She tapped her map interface. "I¡¯ll check for any new threats so we cover all bases." Her expression quickly soured. "Can¡¯t access it yet, some upgrade¡¯s going on. I¡¯ll try again in a minute." She crouched beside Brian and placed a hand on his shoulder. He flinched.

    "It¡¯s okay, buddy. You were lost, but now we¡¯ve found you." Joe blinked. For a moment, he could¡¯ve sworn Dawn was radiating a comforting aura¡ªlike some kind of warm, invisible hug.

    Brian stared at her, his mouth opening and closing like he wanted to say something, but the words simply wouldn¡¯t come out.

    "You don¡¯t have to talk, Brian. We get it. We¡¯ve come back for you. Can you stand?" Joe tried to keep the doubt out of his voice, but Brian looked like a stiff breeze would not only knock him over but send him into oblivion.

    Brian¡¯s slow nod showed he understood. A flicker of recognition passed between his eyes as he glanced at Dawn and Joe.

    Joe wrapped his arm around Brian, and Dawn did the same from the other side. They guided him to his feet. Brian towered over them, but somehow, he felt smaller¡ªlike the weight of the world had crushed him from the inside. The brief recognition in his eyes faded, replaced by a hollow stare. He wavered, ready to topple over again. Joe and Dawn held him steady, but Brian wasn¡¯t really there.

    Gaia stepped into view, her tone growing more urgent. "Hey, Dawn, checked that map yet?"

    "Nope, kind of busy here." Dawn waved a hand in front of Brian¡¯s face, but he stared through it, completely vacant.

    Gaia, clearly frustrated, stepped closer, rising on her toes to snap her fingers in front of Brian¡¯s face. An electrical charge crackled between her fingertips, reflecting in his dark gaze. "For the love of¡­ all celestial realms¡­ wake up, Brian!" She sighed, then turned to Dawn. "Well?"

    Joe shot Gaia a questioning look. "You seeing something?"

    Gaia frowned, her skin twitching with small muscle spasms. "It¡¯s more of a feeling, like insects crawling under my skin." She pointed toward the horizon, where swollen, bruised storm clouds churned. "Something¡¯s out there, and it knows we¡¯re here."

    Dawn kept fiddling with her interface, completely missing Gaia¡¯s heated glare. But when she finally got access, her expression went from annoyed to terrified. "Brian, you¡¯ve got to snap out of it. Right now." She tugged on his arm with a sudden, desperate energy.

    She turned to Joe, her voice tight with urgency. "You know how my map got upgraded? Well, before, I couldn¡¯t see hollows¡ªbecause they¡¯re not part of the system."

    Joe¡¯s heart sank. "And now?"

    "Now I can."

    He glanced at the horizon, where the clouds were dropping something that looked like mist, but it moved way too fast. "How many?"

    Dawn¡¯s face paled. "Too many. If they get here before Brian¡¯s back in the system, we¡¯re dead."

    "Let¡¯s move him." Gaia stepped forward, a dark aura trailing behind her.

    "And go where?" Dawn shot back. "We can¡¯t bring him into the common room¡ªhe¡¯s ejected from the system."

    "I know that," Gaia snapped, raising her chin. "But we need to put distance between us and those hollows while you figure out how to reach him. The state he¡¯s in, he¡¯s moving slower than treacle." She prodded Brian¡¯s broad shoulders, sending a few sparks across his back.

    Brian blinked as her magic stirred something in him. "I¡¯m as swift as a gazelle," he mumbled, taking a lumbering step forward, nearly dragging his other leg behind like it had gone numb.

    "Yeah, an old one¡­ with arthritis. Hit by a jeep. Last week," Gaia muttered, exasperated.

    Joe urged Brian to keep moving, but his steps were sluggish, and the spark from Gaia¡¯s touch was already wearing off. "Gaia, whatever you did, do it again. We¡¯ll keep talking to him."

    She rolled her eyes but zapped Brian between the shoulder blades. His eyes flickered with life again.

    "Brian, you¡¯re doing great, buddy. We just need you to repeat a few words. Can you do that for us?" Joe kept his tone gentle, trying not to rush him.

    "I¡¯m swift as a gazelle," Brian mumbled, still stuck on his earlier line.

    Joe shot Dawn a glance. "Alright, here¡¯s how this goes. It¡¯s like a game. Dawn¡¯s gonna say a phrase, and you¡¯ll repeat it, word for word."

    Brian gave a weak nod, but the low groans behind them grew louder, stealing his attention. The mist parted, revealing the first hollow¡ªan elf, or what had once been an elf. Her skin was pale gray, stretched taut over sinew and bone, with a tangled mess of white hair matted to her skull.

    She moved fast, faster than any mortal should, her silent snarl somehow more terrifying than if she''d screamed.

    Joe¡¯s pulse quickened as the entrance to the common room came into view, but until Brian spoke the right words, they were trapped. Dawn placed her hands firmly on Brian¡¯s shoulders and locked eyes with him. "Say this: Trade System ECHOs Open."

    Brian looked over his shoulder. "The lions are coming, but I¡¯m swift as a gazelle."

    Gaia zapped him again. "No, you¡¯re not. And those aren¡¯t lions¡ªthey¡¯re soul-sucking hollows. Focus! Say what Dawn told you."

    Something clicked in Brian. He turned back to Dawn, his eyes flickering with more awareness. Joe glanced at the misting rain rushing toward them, filled with hollows. If the white haired hollow kept running at that speed, they had maybe a minute, tops.

    Gaia¡¯s voice kicked up a notch. ¡°Brian, say the damn words. One hollow we can deal with but these poor bastards are like Black Friday shoppers, once you spot one, expect a stampede.¡± She gestured to the hollow and the seething mist rolling towards them at break-neck speed.

    Dawn looked ready to slap Brian but she kept her composure and emphasis on every word. ¡±Come on Brian, repeat after me, Trade System ECHOs Open."

    Brian blinked, his voice wavering. "Traaade¡­"

    Gaia had been right. More hollows emerged from the mist, each a gray-scale twisted version of their former selves. Silent, relentless, and fast. Their red eyes gleamed with hunger.

    Dawn gripped Brian tighter, her eyes burning with intensity. "Say it, Brian. Trade System ECHOs Open. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll get TJ here, and he¡¯ll beat your face to a pulp!"

    That did it. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Brian¡¯s head jerked up. "Teee Jaaayy," he whispered with a sad, distant longing.

    Gaia smirked. "The power of fucking friendship."

    Dawn didn¡¯t waste the moment. "Yes, Brian! TJ¡¯s your bro, and he wants you to repeat after me: Trade System ECHOs Open."

    A blink of recognition passed through Brian¡¯s eyes, clearer than before, like he was seeing Joe and Dawn for the first time.

    Thirty seconds, Joe thought, as more hollows became visible in the mist. All quiet as corpses, a swift running nightmare headed straight for them.

    A system notification appeared:

    [Hollows have become aware of your location. Beware the spread of Touch of Madness. You will not be permitted entry to the common room in any zone.]

    Well shit!

    Dawn, desperate, pulled out an eternity stick and waved it in front of Brian¡¯s face.

    Before she could even light it, Brian snatched it from her and broke it in half. His eyes dulled again as he rubbed the powdered insides of the stick all over his face.

    Gaia grabbed another stick and dangled it in front of Brian¡¯s face, waving it like she was feeding a toddler. "Here comes the airplane, neeeh aaah," she said, sticking it in his mouth. "This is why I never had kids."

    Joe frowned. "But¡­ aren¡¯t you Gaia from the Greek legend?"

    Gaia snorted. "You believe everything you read? Hercules ruined kids for me, trust me." She gave Brian another zap, her voice filled with an ancient power. "Brian, pay attention. Listen to Dawn and say the damn line."

    Dawn repeated the phrase again, her eyes flicking back to the lead hollows closing in fast.

    Brian¡¯s deep voice finally rose above the eerie groans. "Trade System ECHOs Open."

    Relief flooded Joe, but there was no time to celebrate. A hollow broke from the horde and charged right at him, red eyes locked onto its target. Time seemed to slow as Joe grabbed Brian¡¯s arm and yanked him out of the way just before the hollow slammed into them.

    Gaia cast a quick distraction spell, a flickering light show that drew the horde¡¯s attention.

    Joe watched in awe as Gaia, fingers weaving through the air, manipulated threads only she could see. The strain on her face was obvious, but she powered through, too proud to ask for help.

    It gave Brian the time he needed.

    His gray clothes and translucent skin shifted. His hoodie, cargo pants, and boots turned red. His pale skin regained color, no longer ghostly.

    Oblivious to the chaos around him, Brian threw his arms around Dawn in a massive hug.

    "Save it, big guy," Gaia said, her voice hoarse. "My distraction spell won¡¯t last long, and the cooldown¡¯s 30 minutes."

    Joe¡¯s eyes went wide as more hollows clawed their way out of the mist, charging toward Gaia¡¯s illusion. The illusion wasn¡¯t much¡ªsimply flickers of light mimicking huddled figures¡ªbut it worked. Hollows weren¡¯t smart; they were hungry. And the rage was building as they realized the figures weren¡¯t real. They let out blood-curdling shrieks, spinning in place like broken wind-up toys, their red eyes scanning for fresh souls to taint with Touch of Madness.

    "Dawn, get the damn door open! Drag Brian if you have to!" Joe shouted, heart hammering. Dawn linked arms with Brian, but then he jerked away.

    Joe whipped around. "What the hell, man?" His gaze followed Brian¡¯s line of sight in time to see a hollow launching itself at Gaia.

    Gaia, running on fumes, tried to summon a barrier, but all she got was a spark and a grimace before she doubled over.

    ¡°Behind you,¡± Joe yelled but before the hollow could tear into her, Brian roared¡ªactually roared like a beast¡ªand slammed into the hollow with a spinning uppercut that would make a Street Fighter proud.

    But the hollow wasn¡¯t done. It pounced back, catlike, sinking claws into Brian¡¯s shoulders. Brian staggered, teeth gritted, but he didn¡¯t go down. The big guy grabbed the thing like he was tearing off a ragged cloak, snapping its fingers with a sickening crunch and flinging it to the ground. It tumbled into the dirt, rolling to a stop.

    Joe¡¯s breath caught. For a split second, a dark aura clung to Brian, like a Touch of Madness debuff was taking hold.

    Oh no, no, no¡­

    But the aura flickered out.

    Joe gasped.

    Brian was still in control.

    ¡°Run!¡± Brian shouted, locking eyes with Gaia.

    Gaia hesitated, conflict written all over her face, but Brian didn¡¯t give her time to argue. He rushed her towards the entrance and shoved her across the threshold. Exhausted, she staggered through, eyes wide.

    Dawn gave chase grabbing the door to hold it open. ¡°Hurry up you two.¡±

    Joe rushed in after Dawn, expecting Brian to follow.

    ¡°Hold the door,¡± Dawn said with no awareness of the grim reference. Joe held it open as Dawn dashed to and crouched beside Gaia, checking on her. Joe pressed the weight of his body against the door, holding it wide open while beckoning Brian. "Move it!"

    Brian, gritting his teeth, tore across the floor, every heavy step echoing in Joe¡¯s ears.

    A hollow launched herself at Brian, wolf-quick, too graceful for something so broken. With a punishing stomp, Brian drove a kick into her chest, putting his full weight behind it. The hollow flew back, crashing into the dirt, but it was already scrambling to its feet.

    Brian barely had a second to react before another hollow¡ªthis one, a ratfolk with hollowed-out eyes¡ªdarted toward him. The ratfolk was fast, arms outstretched, ready to latch onto him with its sharp claws.

    With a growl, Brian threw a sharp elbow, catching the ratfolk in the face. His hoodie¡¯s defensive weave shimmered as the hollow¡¯s claws raked across his chest, but the fabric held. Just barely. He stumbled back, widening the gap between them, eyes scanning the horde for any opening.

    The first hollow was already back on her feet, her arms snaking out to grab him. Brian kicked her again, right in the stomach, using his reach to keep her at bay. But she was relentless, recovering faster than any mortal should. She slashed at him, claws aiming for his throat. He ducked, blocked with a raised forearm, and drove his fist into her ribs, but she barely flinched.

    Brian''s chest rose and fell rapidly, but he didn¡¯t let up. Another hollow lunged at him from the side, a woman with half her face missing, and Brian pivoted, driving a vicious kick into her ribs that sent her sprawling. Still, they kept coming. No matter how hard he hit them, they recovered with inhuman speed, like they didn¡¯t feel pain or fatigue.

    The mist was thick with more hollows, too many to count. ¡°Brian!¡± Joe shouted. ¡°Get in here now!¡±

    The hollows were right on Brian¡¯s heels, their breathless moans growing louder as their arms stretched out, fingers clawing for a piece of him. Joe¡¯s pulse spiked, watching the gap between them shrink.

    Brian launched himself forward, crossing the threshold in a heartbeat. As soon as he cleared the doorway, he spun and unleashed a savage back kick, sending one of the hollows flying. The thing hit the ground hard, but the others charged ahead, slamming into the door just as Joe swung it shut.

    The door rattled, Joe¡¯s back pressed hard against it, every slam from the hollows sending a jolt through his bones. He locked eyes with Brian, the rush of adrenaline making his own hands shake. "Holy shit... We almost didn¡¯t make it," he muttered, heart still hammering.

    Brian was panting, his chest rising and falling, eyes wide with shock. "I don¡¯t get it," he said, voice ragged as he stared at his hands like they didn¡¯t belong to him. "I should¡¯ve been hit¡ªfelt that madness coming for me¡­ but nothing." His hands trembled as he shook his head in disbelief. "Why didn¡¯t it get me?"

    Dawn returned after settling Gaia with a mana pellet, then wrapped her arms tightly around Brian. Her eyes were squeezed shut, like she was holding back a sob that, if released, wouldn''t stop. Joe knew that look well. In all the time he¡¯d known Dawn, he¡¯d seen how deeply she buried her trauma. He recognized the fear in her now¡ªthe fear of losing Brian, even though he stood right there with them, restored. It was a feeling Joe understood too well.

    Brian returned the hug, offering Dawn a squeeze of comfort before she pulled back, sucking in a sharp breath.

    "Easy, big guy," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "Who knew an alchemist could kick hollow ass like that? That spinning uppercut was something else. Never figured you got to practice fighting much as a mining dwarf."

    Brian chuckled, but it was faint. "Full of surprises, aren¡¯t I?" He pulled out his vape pen, gave it a quick kiss, but then suddenly, his face drained of color. His legs wobbled, and he slumped against the doorframe.

    Joe darted forward, catching him before he crumpled. "Hey, stay with us!"

    "Mana sickness," Gaia¡¯s voice came from behind, as she stood, a little shaky herself. Her bracelet lit up like a flare, glowing so brightly that Joe had to shield his eyes. She whispered something¡ªa spell, an enchantment¡ªbut even with Quick Wit activated, Joe couldn¡¯t catch the words.

    The air around Brian shimmered, like a mirage, soft hues of rainbow light dancing around him.

    Brian blinked, meeting Gaia¡¯s eyes, and whispered, "Thank you."

    Gaia waved it off, exhaustion etched in her face. "Thank me if it lasts long enough to get you to the fourth floor."

    Dawn scowled. "Don¡¯t you know how long this... quantum weave thing is supposed to last?"

    Gaia shrugged, her casual tone doing little to hide her fatigue. "First time trying it. Plus, I¡¯m running on fumes. That pellet barely helped."

    "So he¡¯s a guinea pig?" Dawn¡¯s voice had an edge.

    Gaia shot back with a scoff. "Better an alive guinea pig than a dead human. And don¡¯t compare me to your world¡¯s scumbags who experimented on vulnerable people."

    Dawn went quiet, and the tension in the air thickened.

    "Enough debating. Let¡¯s get Brian to the fourth floor now," Joe said, fighting off a world worth of weariness creeping in.

    Brian, still leaning on Joe, managed a tired grin. "If I never see this floor again, it¡¯ll be too soon." He straightened himself, following Joe towards the elevator.

    As soon as the doors slid open, Gaia slipped in first, her fingers hovering over the button for the first floor.

    Joe''s brow furrowed. "What are you doing?"

    Gaia jerked her hand back like a kid caught sneaking a cookie. "Nothing," she muttered, pulling her hand away as if the button had burned her.

    Joe wasn¡¯t buying it, but he let it slide¡ªfor now. Something was off with her, but this wasn¡¯t the time to push. He filed it away, a nagging suspicion gnawing at the back of his mind.

    As the doors closed and the elevator hummed into motion, Joe leaned back against the wall, his eyes darting between Gaia and Brian. The big guy looked pale, shaken¡ªand hell, Joe couldn¡¯t blame him. Brian shaking off the Touch of Madness like it was nothing? That meant something.

    Joe just wasn¡¯t sure what.

 Chapter 40: Defiance of the Call

    As soon as they entered the Red Zone common room, Joe stretched his back and plopped Brian down into the booth next to Ryan, who was still sweating but regaining some color.

    Rose leaned in and gave Brian a big hug. "So glad to have you back, big guy."

    Brian glanced around the dimly lit room. "The Red Zone really is the dark side of a miner''s crack. Where¡¯s¡ª?"

    Before he could finish, TJ bounded across the room, carrying a glass bottle. He slid into the booth beside Brian, squeezing him tight before leaning back and popping open the lid. "This is the best stuff they have here, trust me."

    Dawn set a tin of pellets in front of Brian. "These won''t be enough. You¡¯re going to have to level up your QRL, but these will buy you some time to get back out on the floor."

    "Here, this might be a bit better." Grizzle offered, passing him a small cylinder. "Infused with mana to fit your vape pen."

    Brian¡¯s face lit up. "Oh, how I missed this... missed all of you." He fitted the cylinder into his vape pen and took a long inhale, his eyes brightening as if he¡¯d found a cure for the worst hangover. He turned to TJ, wrapping an arm around him. "Ready to hack some monsters?"

    TJ smiled back. "More than ever, now that you¡¯re back. You know how antsy I was getting waiting on you."

    Ryan coughed and tugged on the cloth around his wound, the scaly skin covering most of his hand. "We¡¯re wasting time here. Andras¡¯ factions have probably wiped out a few monsters nearby already."

    Joe pulled up the list of factions on his device. "More factions are showing as hostile, but¡­ Bruiser Battalion is now friendly." He glanced over at Ryan. "I think we need to build more alliances where we can, then expose who Andras really is."

    A warmth rose in Joe''s chest as the blue flame flickered within him. ¡°And now we¡¯re getting somewhere. You might be worth the effort after all, Joe.¡±

    We¡¯re not dying in this tower, Hal.

    ¡°Did I hear my name called?¡± The smug look on Andras¡¯ face was the last thing Joe wanted to see.

    Joe''s brows furrowed. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    Andras picked up a packet of Eternity Sticks, peering inside. He shook it, then discarded it to the floor. ¡°The rumors of the Time Hacker travel far and wide. He¡¯s not all-powerful, or he¡¯d have the jackpot of immortality to himself. Don¡¯t you ever wonder why he¡¯s here, bothering with us?¡±

    Dawn stepped forward, arms crossed. ¡°He¡¯s helping us, which is more than you¡¯ve ever done to get more ascenders to follow you.¡± She kicked the empty packet toward Andras.

    Andras whistled, seeming amused by her gesture. ¡°Mighty touchy today, aren¡¯t we? I¡¯ve done nothing underhanded to get so many factions to join my alliance. That Time Hacker should be looking to me for help since I¡¯ve got the most influence in bringing factions together. You¡¯re all a bunch of nobodies.¡±

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s quality over quantity.¡±

    Andras laughed, then turned his attention to Joe. ¡°How about we have another battlebox challenge? Simply in the spirit of competition. I¡¯d hate for you all to be stuck in the Red Zone when you were so close to the top ranks. Consider it a favor.¡±

    Joe gave a small nod. ¡°I don¡¯t see any favors coming from you, but I¡¯ll never say no to a challenge.¡±

    ¡°If only you were as trusting as Lucky.¡± Andras flicked his dark hair away from his eye, his gaze sweeping across each of them. ¡°I¡¯ll send favors to each of you.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°What else did you do to him?¡± Joe¡¯s heart raced. The last time he¡¯d seen Lucky was on the drone camera of floor two.

    Andras glanced at Dawn. ¡°If you stopped fighting against the tide, and joined our faction that was friendly with our alliance, you could talk to him anytime and make sure he¡¯s okay. If only you cared so much about him.¡±

    Dawn glared back at Andras, fists clenched. ¡°We need to be a part of an alliance associated with you like we need butt cancer.¡±

    At that moment, the oversized screen on the wall flickered to life. Joe nodded toward it. "Looks like Time Hacker couldn¡¯t wait to send another message."

    The screen showed the clown-faced Time Hacker, cackling. ¡°If you¡¯re targeting each other, then the lich wins.¡±

    Andras grinned. ¡°Hmm, maybe he¡¯s brighter than I thought. He seems to agree that you all should appreciate my favors rather than focus on alliances. Maybe then you¡¯d have fewer hostile factions hunting you down.¡±

    The Time Hacker¡¯s masked face leaned closer, filling the screen from edge to edge. ¡°Favors from Andras are like poison wrapped in pretty paper. Keep accepting them, and you¡¯ll soon find yourselves in the belly of the beast.¡±

    The screen cut to black, replaced by the looming figure of the Lich. ¡°You¡¯ve been reading too many bedtime stories. I¡¯ll take care of this so-called Time Hacker feeding you lies. But for once, the rumors about my phylactery are just that¡ªrumors. Anyone who tries to oppose me or search for the phylactery will automatically become GORED.¡±

    Andras tapped his foot, impatience edging at his temples. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t wish that fate on any ascender.¡± His gaze shifted toward Brian. ¡°Only those who deserve such a fate must have earned their ejection¡ªa second life not worth living.¡±

    TJ slammed his fist down, making the table tremble. ¡°You¡¯ve got no room to talk, elf.¡±

    The Lich raised his bony hands in a gesture of mock innocence. ¡°What do you think, Poppy? Is it time for an update to motivate the ascenders to continue their climb?¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip. Numbers all calculated.¡± Poppy''s voice came cheerful as ever.

    The Lich nodded, pulling up a handheld device. The screen flickered again, and Poppy¡¯s avatar bounced off the screen, reappearing in front of Joe, dressed in a fedora and sunglasses. ¡°Lich Master not want me to say, but you huge help. True friend.¡±

    Joe gave a weak smile. ¡°Not a friend, but Ohana. So, what¡¯s the deal with the phylactery now? Safer, I hope?¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip. It¡¯s safe.¡± Poppy tipped her hat. ¡°Time for me to go back before Lich Master notices I¡¯m gone.¡±

    As Joe nodded, Poppy reappeared at the Lich¡¯s side just as he continued, ¡°Each and every one of you is one step closer to the crystalline jackpot of immortality. Defiance like the Time Hacker¡¯s will not be tolerated. He and those who listen to him will be punished.¡±

    TJ groaned. ¡°That¡¯s not fair, punishing someone who¡¯s just trying to help.¡±

    Grizzle nodded in agreement. ¡°Nothing¡¯s fair in this tower.¡±

    The Lich continued, his voice dripping with a mix of authority and disdain. ¡°Only one week into this tower, and much promise has been observed from several rising ascenders.¡± He skimmed a finger across the screen before tapping the glass. ¡°As of now, 324 ascenders have gone, and the jackpot has risen to 1,479 crystals.¡±

    ¡°Whoa, we only get about 20 crystals per titan kill.¡± Luna glanced away from the screen.

    The Lich crossed his arms. ¡°Unfortunately, the bad news. One hundred and nine ascenders are still below QRL 20. If these Bronze Ranked Ascenders do not raise their levels before the tide of mana particles rises, they¡¯ll automatically be GORED.¡±

    ¡°Was this in the fine print?¡± TJ leaned forward, skeptical. ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯d be nearly everyone in the Red Zone.¡±

    Andras scoffed. ¡°Yeah, he said it¡¯d be unfortunate, but he¡¯s just keeping the best for the jackpot. If you¡¯re not with me, then you¡¯re against my alliances.¡±

    The Lich clapped his skeletal hands. ¡°One faction stands out among the rest. I have high, high hopes for the Andras Alliance.¡±

    A smirk spread across Andras¡¯s face. ¡°You can¡¯t ignore me anymore, not with the attention of Lord Lich.¡±

    Joe twisted the cord on his hoodie and quickly pulled up his alliance chat.

    Joe: How are you going to come back from this?

    POKE_Master: Remember you owe me a favor if there¡¯s ever a physical threat to the central nervous system of this tower. I¡¯ll need a direct bypass with the quantum threads.

    Joe: As long as you keep Andras and the Lich busy, I¡¯m taking whoever sides with me to the top of this tower.

    Glancing back at the booth, everyone¡¯s eyes were fixed on Andras who¡¯d turned to retreat to the zone inter-exchange.

    Taking a step toward him, Joe yelled. ¡°Check your notifications, Andras. You¡¯ll see your challenge has been met.¡±

 ATC 1: Epilogue

    It was quiet for once. A rarity.

    Halcyon stretched his awareness within the confines of Joe¡¯s mind, relishing the moments when the boy wasn''t pestering him with questions. These were the times he felt almost free¡ªfree to think, to reflect, to remember¡­ though those memories often only brought him bitterness. The tower faintly hummed around them, its power a constant reminder of where they were¡ªtrapped.

    But as always, the silence didn''t last.

    "What did you mean when you said you helped me retain my memories?" Joe¡¯s voice echoed through the depths of their shared spiritual space, not timid but persistent.

    Always with the questions.

    Halcyon sighed to himself, though Joe would feel only a vague sense of annoyance. He considered ignoring the question, letting it fade into the back of Joe¡¯s mind. But he couldn¡¯t. Joe needed to know his place, needed to understand the depth of his debt.

    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t merged with you, you would have left your memories in the underworld, like the countless souls before you,¡± Halcyon said, his voice carrying a calm authority, a touch of smugness. He let Joe feel a small flicker of superiority¡ªjust enough for him to get the message. ¡°You owe me everything, chump.¡±

    Joe¡¯s thoughts whirred with a stubborn spark of defiance. Of course, Halcyon thought, waiting for the inevitable argument.

    "I thought¡­ I thought it was because of my sister," Joe muttered, clearly wrestling with the idea that his connection to his past life had nothing to do with his own will. Halcyon snorted at the thought, masking it as a cold chuckle that reverberated through their shared bond.

    "No," Halcyon said, sharper now, letting his words sink in. "Your sister was not enough. Nothing from your world was strong enough to tether you here, to help you retain the memories of a life you should have forgotten the moment you crossed over. It was me who held your memories together. Without me, they would have faded away."

    The reaction was immediate¡ªJoe¡¯s heart rate picked up, his thoughts scattered, trying to process what Halcyon had just told him. Halcyon felt the gratitude bubbling beneath Joe¡¯s confusion, the slow realization that without Halcyon, Joe would have lost everything.

    Good. He let the boy stew in it for a moment longer.

    "Then why do my friends still have their memories?" Joe asked after a pause, defiance creeping back into his voice. "If you''re saying it¡¯s all because of you, how come they remember their past lives too?"

    Halcyon¡¯s temper flared at the persistent questioning, though he kept his tone measured. The boy had a knack for pushing when he shouldn¡¯t. Still, it was time to educate him¡ªproperly.

    "They must have an artifact from their homeworld." Halcyon¡¯s voice tightened with annoyance. "Some trinket, something that brings them comfort, keeping them connected. But," he continued, letting his irritation bleed through into Joe¡¯s thoughts, "those memories will fade. You¡¯ll see. The longer they¡¯re here, the more those fragments will slip away unless they cling to that artifact. Even then, it won¡¯t last forever."

    Halcyon sensed Joe¡¯s unease deepening. He relished it. Let the boy fear. Fear would keep him focused on what Halcyon could offer him. "As long as we are connected, you¡¯ll keep your memories sharp, vivid, alive. Magic can¡¯t fix everything, chump. Retrieving memories that are truly gone? It¡¯s like trying to pull a soul back from the dead. Dangerous."

    The quiet horror bloomed in Joe¡¯s chest. It lingered there, thick and heavy. Halcyon leaned into it, letting Joe feel his own helplessness, the fragility of memory and time.

    "Let¡¯s say I believe you. Tell me how you helped me retain my memories?" Joe asked, pushing, this time with more urgency.

    Halcyon sighed. He could feel Joe¡¯s determination digging in deep like talons. Why won¡¯t the boy simply listen?

    "I¡¯m not sure your tiny mind can understand. Instead, I¡¯ll tell you my story, so be quiet," Halcyon snapped.

    Silence followed, thick and uncomfortable. Joe would feel the pulse of frustration from Halcyon, but also something else¡ªhope? Halcyon quickly swallowed it back, unsure why that particular emotion had crept into the bond. His own feelings were getting harder to mask, now that they shared so much.

    "It¡¯s really quite a long story," Halcyon continued, forcing his tone into something more controlled. "And I will only say it once, so pay attention."

    "This world," Halcyon began, "is not like the one you knew. Power defines everything." Joe¡¯s doubt flickered at the edge of his awareness, but Halcyon ignored him.

    "This world was created by four elemental titans, although some argue it was the titan Pan-Gu, born from a cosmic egg." Halcyon allowed the weight of the information to hang between them. Joe¡¯s mind raced, but there was no point in pausing any longer. Joe would catch up. He always did. "Still, here is what I was told when I was young."

    Joe remained silent, intently listening, but Halcyon could feel his mind buzzing with questions. Always so many questions.

    "The Water Titan of the North, the Earth Titan of the East, the Fire Titan of the South, and the Wind Titan of the West. These titans shaped this world, laid down their bodies to become its very foundation."

    Joe¡¯s thoughts stilled, and Halcyon could feel the boy''s disbelief. It wasn¡¯t exactly surprising. Joe was always comparing this world to the stories and myths he¡¯d read. Divine beasts, titans, worlds shaped by gods. Before Joe died, it was all fantasy. But to Halcyon, it was ancient history, as real as the ground they stood on.

    ¡°They settled here after creating other worlds, but this one was special. This one was meant to last.¡±

    Halcyon¡¯s voice stayed calm, distant, even as the weight of the past pressed heavily on his mind.

    ¡°Their descendants were not elemental titans. They were normal beasts,¡± Halcyon¡¯s words flowed almost mechanically as he retold the tale. But as the ghosts of memories buried long ago resurfaced, Halcyon felt the strange surge of emotion that slipped from his mind into Joe¡¯s.

    Damn it. The connection between them was always more porous than he liked. A wave of nostalgia washed over Joe, though Halcyon knew it was his own memories, not the boy¡¯s.

    "Time went by," Halcyon continued, his voice a touch quieter now. "The four titans grew weary of this world." Joe leaned forward, captured by his words, but it wasn¡¯t Joe¡¯s interest that caught his attention¡ªit was the sadness pressing against his own being.

    Keep it together, Halcyon. He pushed down the emotions, speaking with the same cold neutrality as before.

    "They buried their original bodies far beneath the surface of this world, in dungeons guarded by the minions they had created. Their blood parasites acted as scouts, keeping watch. Most adventurers were too busy looting those dungeons, trying to destroy the cores, never realizing the titans slept close by"

    Halcyon snorted to himself. Adventurers. Greedy fools. He almost enjoyed telling Joe that part. He could sense Joe¡¯s awe, the boy trying to comprehend a world where beings like the titans existed, hidden in the depths, untouched by the selfish desires of mortals.

    And then it happened again¡ªanother wave of emotion, flooding from Halcyon¡¯s mind into Joe¡¯s. The nostalgia, the sorrow of a past Halcyon hadn¡¯t wanted to think about for millennia.

    "The titans spent the last of their energy splitting the continent into four parts," Halcyon continued, pushing through the storm of feelings, his voice slightly hardening. "And in the center of the continent, they created a tower¡ªmade from their own flesh."

    Joe¡¯s thoughts flared, his curiosity and awe bubbling to the surface. Halcyon didn¡¯t need to look to know that Joe¡¯s eyes had widened at the thought. Of course, he thought with a hint of pride, you should be impressed.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "It was called the Four Titans Palace," Halcyon said, his tone turning reverent. "That was where they summoned their eldest sons. That¡¯s where they passed down their legacies, their powers, the right to rule their four kingdoms."

    "Thousands of years passed in peace. Civilization flourished. Beasts cultivated their mana cores, growing stronger, more attuned to the world¡¯s mana. Even humans¡ªcreatures not unlike those of your world¡ªgrew in number and spread across the continents. For a while, there was harmony."

    Joe¡¯s thoughts buzzed with fascination, but Halcyon barely noticed. He was too caught up in his own memories now, the ones he tried to avoid thinking about. He could feel the familiar bitterness creeping in, the sting of betrayal that had never quite faded.

    "But humans¡­" Halcyon''s voice tightened, his tone sharpening like a blade. "Humans grew greedy. They realized they could conquer the beasts. From their knowledge came the fear of death. It made them desperate and selfish."

    Joe¡¯s thoughts slowed, his curiosity giving way to something more serious now. Halcyon could feel Joe bracing for what came next. Good. He should be prepared.

    "Some would do anything to avoid their fate," Halcyon said, the anger in his voice barely controlled. The memories of that time were like a constant wound, still raw even after millennia. "One such human..." His voice tightened, the words almost difficult to speak. "One such human stole precious knowledge from the Water Titan of the North¡¯s first descendant. The wretched thief used that knowledge to locate the four sleeping titans and killed them."

    The bitterness, the rage that still simmered beneath the surface¡ªit all threatened to bubble over as the memories of that betrayal rose once again. He stole from me. He betrayed everything.

    And Joe, through their bond, felt it too. Halcyon could sense the mix of emotions welling up in the boy¡ªhatred, regret, pity. Joe understood, at least a little. He could feel the echoes of Halcyon¡¯s pain.

    "You¡¯re the eldest son of the Water Titan of the North, aren¡¯t you?" Joe¡¯s voice was quiet but firm, his need for confirmation clear.

    Halcyon straightened at the question, the pride he had long carried welling up inside him once more. He was the eldest son. He had borne that title for so long, and even now, trapped as he was, it still mattered. The title still held meaning.

    I am not forgotten. I am still the son of a titan.

    "That¡¯s right," Halcyon said, letting the pride show in his voice, the bitterness momentarily pushed aside.

    But the joy was short-lived. The memories that followed brought only bitterness. "The titans gave us their legacies. Their powers. We ruled their lands in their stead, but it was all for nothing." Halcyon''s voice grew cold. "Because one of your kind, a human, stole from us."

    Joe stiffened, and Halcyon could feel the sharp stab of regret in him. Halcyon allowed his hatred to pulse through the bond, only enough to remind Joe of the betrayal that had brought him here.

    Joe, bowed his head. "I¡¯m sorry about what happened to you. What happened to both of us.¡± He raised his head, resilient against despair. ¡°Knowledge is power. Why can¡¯t we use what you know and find a way to escape the tower?"

    Halcyon bit back his rising frustration. If only it was that simple. "Because, boy, I was sealed in that book for thousands of years. My power is limited, tied to your pathetic body now.¡±

    Joe¡¯s laughter surprised him. It was small, but genuine. "You¡¯re the one who chose my body."

    Halcyon snorted. "You think I had many options? You should be grateful I merged with you at all."

    Joe didn¡¯t seem convinced. "Then why don¡¯t you just reincarnate again? Help me keep my memories when I die."

    Halcyon¡¯s patience was wearing thin. "It doesn¡¯t work like that. When you die, your soul goes to the Underworld. It wanders until it forgets everything, like everyone else¡¯s. I used the last of my power to guide you and help you retain your memories, but I can¡¯t do it again. Not anytime soon."

    Joe fell quiet. Halcyon sensed his worry, but he also sensed something else¡ªhope. Joe still hoped to return to his sister, to his past. Halcyon scoffed to himself.

    Foolish. But useful.

    Halcyon¡¯s thoughts flicked between annoyance and indifference. The boy had a way of making him feel both amused and infuriated.

    "Do you want me to continue the story or not?" Halcyon snapped, his voice coiling like a dragon¡¯s snarl in the space they shared. It was a harsh reminder that while Joe might feel like they were partners, Halcyon knew better. This was an arrangement of necessity, nothing more.

    Joe crossed his arms, lips curling into a wry smile, as if deciding he wasn¡¯t going to push any further.

    "It has been four thousand years since I was last here," Halcyon said, his voice softening, though he held onto that sharp edge of superiority. "I don¡¯t know what the outside world looks like now under the Lich Master¡¯s control. I don¡¯t even know who rules what continents anymore, but I doubt his power extends very far beyond this tower. Still, there¡¯s one thing I do know¡ªmana and ley lines. They never change."

    Halcyon¡¯s keen senses picked up on the flicker of curiosity in Joe the moment he mentioned ley lines. Joe¡¯s interest spiked as if he were a dog being thrown a bone, and Halcyon, ever the manipulator, grinned in satisfaction. He could use that.

    "The entire world runs on the essence of what my kind called the heavens and the earth. Every living being here has something called a mana core," Halcyon continued, letting the words slowly drip into Joe¡¯s mind. "In this tower, though, it¡¯s called your soul bank. And instead of life essence, you have time currency. Quite a clever play by the lich. He knows you mortals have always been obsessed with time. And money. It¡¯s the same thing, after all. And as you know, money is the root of all evil."

    Joe winced at the complexity of it all, and Halcyon felt the headache forming in the boy¡¯s mind. He sighed, though there was no pity in his tone. "It¡¯s not my fault you find it confusing." Still, he paused, allowing Joe a moment to catch up.

    "The mana core¡ªor in your case, the soul bank¡ªstores mana. The more you refine, the more you can use to interact with the tower, gain skills, experience, level up, whatever you want to call it. The lich calls it the Quantum Resonance Level system."

    Joe¡¯s brows furrowed in thought.

    "What rank were you before you were sealed in the metal emblem on the cover of A Titan¡¯s Core?" Joe suddenly asked, curiosity sparking in his voice. Halcyon hadn¡¯t expected that, not now, and for a moment, he hesitated. He didn¡¯t owe Joe any answers. But then again¡­ why not let him know just how much of a god I once was?

    "I was at the Red Diamond Rank, a QRL beyond one hundred," Halcyon said, letting a tinge of pride slip through. The truth was, Halcyon hadn¡¯t talked about his rank or past glory in a long time, but for reasons he couldn¡¯t fully grasp, he found himself telling Joe. Maybe the boy is growing on me. Ugh.

    "If you were a Red Diamond Rank, you must have been really strong," Joe said, his voice betraying genuine curiosity now. The hostility had faded between them, and Joe was growing more interested in Halcyon¡¯s past.

    Halcyon almost felt a twinge of sympathy. He had ridiculed Joe from the beginning, teased him with vague answers, giving him just enough information to stay useful. The boy had surprised Halcyon more than once, though¡ªhe was not as foolish as Halcyon had once assumed. Not entirely, anyway.

    "I was strong," Halcyon said, his voice quiet but heavy with meaning. There was no need to brag anymore, not when the truth was painfully obvious. "But right now, I¡¯m trapped in this body with you. If I were stupid enough to try and use my full strength, you¡¯d die. Horribly."

    Joe''s brows raised.

    Halcyon could feel the question before Joe even spoke. That telltale spike of anxiety in the boy¡¯s thoughts. It was always the same¡ªcuriosity and fear tangled together like two opposing currents.

    ¡°Is there a way that you can gain strength?¡±

    "I need pure fire mana to grow stronger." Halcyon watched Joe tense at the mention of it. The boy always feared what Halcyon becoming stronger meant.

    Joe hesitated, clearly considering the implications. Halcyon could feel the boy¡¯s thoughts weaving between fear of losing control and the hope that they really were working together. A part of Joe genuinely wanted to believe that their goals were aligned.

    "But how does it work?" Joe asked. "If you¡¯re absorbing the fire mana, what happens to me?"

    "I¡¯m using your body¡ªyour soul bank, to be precise," Halcyon¡¯s tone kept casual, as if the whole thing were as natural as breathing. "Your soul bank filters out all the impurities, all the mana tainted with elements you and I have no affinity for. I absorb the excess fire essence, and you get to keep the water and earth essence." Halcyon¡¯s voice turned smug, and he let a grin creep into their shared bond. "That leaves you with only wind affinity to deal with.¡±

    Halcyon paused, smirking to himself before finishing, "makes you a bit gassy, doesn¡¯t it?"

    Joe¡¯s frown deepened, not at the joke, but at something deeper.

    "Does the legend say there¡¯s a way to summon them?" Joe quietly asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Halcyon didn¡¯t need to ask what Joe meant. They had talked about the titans, about the ones that had laid down their bodies to build this world for their eldest sons. Joe¡¯s eyes were locked onto a spot on the ground.

    "I believe there is a way," Halcyon lied, his voice softening despite himself. "But no one has ever found the others." His voice carried a note of longing that he hadn¡¯t intended to share.

    For a moment, Halcyon allowed himself to feel the pain he had buried deep, the loss of someone far more important to him than his father. The memories of her death rose unbidden, cutting through the cold walls he had built in his mind. Joe must have felt the wave of grief as a pang hit his chest, but he said nothing. He likely thought it was about the Water Titan. Let him think that, Halcyon mused. I¡¯m not ready to explain the rest.

    Joe had his own losses, his own burdens. Halcyon knew that. And in a way, their shared suffering made the silence almost bearable.

    After what felt like an eternity, Joe broke the quiet, his voice filled with a respect Halcyon hadn¡¯t heard before. "So, what do we do now?"

    Halcyon didn¡¯t answer right away. The boy was starting to trust him, starting to see him not as a threat but as a partner.

    Good.

    Halcyon had the boy exactly where he needed him. "We help each other climb the tower, claim the power at its peak, and become untouchable to all forces, even those belonging to a god." Halcyon said it with such certainty, as if Joe had no say in the matter and the future had already been decided.

    Joe nodded, but Halcyon could sense the unease still lingering beneath the surface. He¡¯s still afraid, Halcyon thought, but it didn¡¯t matter. Joe had no say in what came next. Everything had already been decided, even if the boy didn¡¯t know it yet.

 ATC 2: Prologue

    Arik kicked the remains of the pig-man, its bloated body deflating like a burst wineskin. The last of the creatures had finally fallen, leaving behind a disgusting mix of swamp water and entrails. The stench was enough to make even Arik¡¯s battle-hardened stomach churn.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting too old for this,¡± Baldor crouched to pry a mana crystal from the remains of a pig-man''s grotesque helm. His back cracked as he straightened, wincing. ¡°First silver in our beards was the warning sign. Now, I think it''s the universe telling us to retire.¡±

    Arik snorted, shaking his head. ¡°Speak for yourself, brother. That¡¯s not silver¡ªit¡¯s just a trick of the light.¡± His gaze flicked toward Baldor¡¯s grin, a tired one, but genuine. ¡°Besides, the only thing worse than your complaining is the smell around here.¡±

    ¡°Enough to put me off bacon for life.¡±

    He cast a glance at the rest of the men, nodding too quickly¡ªyes men, every last one.

    Arik spat into the murky water. They followed without question, never challenging, never pushing back. That¡¯s why Baldor stood out¡ªthe only one who dared to call Arik on his relentless pursuit, the only one with the guts to push back when everyone else was content with their loot and their lives.

    ¡°Not like you¡¯ll ever stop,¡± Baldor continued, still shaking the muck from his hands. ¡°You¡¯ll be chasing the next dungeon ¡®til your bones turn to dust.¡±

    Arik cast a glance over the party, at the men gathering what they could carry in their inventories. They didn¡¯t see it¡ªdidn¡¯t see how time would eventually snatch everything from them. But Baldor had a way of seeing things others missed. He lacked the physical strength Arik once relied on in war, but the man had conviction, a sharp mind, and¡ªdespite his constant complaints¡ªa loyalty Arik couldn¡¯t shake.

    Qualities rarer than phoenix feathers, though Arik would never tell Baldor that. Instead, he kept his focus on the loot, his muscles still humming with the thrill of battle, even as his mind raced toward the next dungeon, the next relic, the next step on his path to immortality. He wasn¡¯t like Baldor, content to age with grace.

    No, Arik wanted to outrun time itself.

    ¡°Done with the self-pity?¡± A half-smile crept onto Arik¡¯s face. ¡°We¡¯ve got more loot to haul before this swamp swallows us whole.¡±

    Baldor snorted, shaking muck from his boots. ¡°It¡¯s not the years, Arik. It¡¯s the mileage. And my bones are telling me we¡¯re far past our prime.¡±

    Arik chuckled, low and rough. ¡°Prime? I¡¯ve yet to see my best years. Old age is just another foe to conquer, and I¡¯ll beat it like all the rest.¡± He cast a glance at the last pig-man corpse, its bloated form slowly sinking into the swamp.

    Baldor let out a tired laugh, shaking his head. "Lead the way out, then, you stubborn bastard. We¡¯ll see who time favors in the end."

    Arik hefted his hammer, the weight a familiar comfort as they trudged on. He still had unfinished business with this dungeon.

    His boots splashed through shallow muck, each step bringing them closer to the dungeon¡¯s core. Baldor trailed behind, the quiet hum of his mana blade lighting the overgrown swamp threatening to close in around them. Arik felt the weight of Baldor¡¯s eyes on him¡ªmeasuring, always calculating.

    Ahead, the glow of the dungeon core flickered like a dying star, casting eerie red light on the shroud of wet, glistening vines. Baldor parted the vines with his blade to reveal a crystalline mass. Tendrils of mana curled and snapped around it, pulsing like a heart.

    ¡°Fragile-looking thing.¡± Baldor wiped sweat from his brow. ¡°But we both know that''s a lie.¡±

    Arik grunted in agreement, his fingers flexing on the handle of his hammer. He could feel the core''s malevolent pull, like a predator testing the waters before the kill.

    He raised his hammer.

    Baldor narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously thinking of destroying it, are you? We¡¯ve never¡ª¡±

    ¡°We never had the guts before,¡± Arik cut in, stepping forward.

    Baldor¡¯s voice softened with disbelief. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ sentient. The guilds will be in uproar.¡±

    There was a code of honor among dungeon delvers¡ªclaim the loot but leave the dungeon core to reset so it could be harvested again when it regrew. It¡¯s what they¡¯d always done, what every adventurer did. But Arik, his eyes hardened with purpose, saw a different path.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t about loot anymore.¡± Arik raised his hammer. ¡°The titans¡ªthey built this world to control us, keep us crawling through their dungeons like rats. You think their descendants won¡¯t take everything from us eventually?¡±

    Baldor growled. ¡°Those prophecies are nothing but man-made lies.¡±

    Arik met Baldor¡¯s gaze, unwavering against his challenge. ¡°I¡¯ll not live under their thumb. Sacrifices have to be made.¡±

    Before Baldor could protest, Arik swung.

    The core exploded in a burst of sickly light, its fragments raining down in a shower of shattered mana. Baldor stumbled back, watching as the dungeon groaned, its walls trembling as its magic peeled away like torn flesh, revealing the true, rotten carcass beneath.

    For the first time, they weren¡¯t just clearing a dungeon. They were breaking it.

    [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Dungeon Core Destroyed. Rewards per adventurer as follows¡­

    Total Loot Earned: 4 Mana Crystals, 2 Rare Pig-hide Skins, and 1 "Cursed Bacon" (Debuff: -10% HP regen for 24 hours)]

    The younger adventurers stood frozen, eyes wide. Murmurs echoed: ¡°He¡­ he broke it.¡±

    "Time to leave!" Baldor snapped, waving the others toward the exit. ¡°Move now before this place collapses.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°Well what are you waiting for?¡± Arik¡¯s booming voice brought them to their senses.

    The young men bolted, slipping and sliding through the thickening swamp muck, their breaths coming in short gasps¡ªnot from physical strain, but from the shock of what Arik had done.

    Outside, the adventurers collapsed to their knees, heaving for air, staring back at the dungeon as though it might still swallow them whole. No one spoke. No one could look Arik in the eye.

    All except Baldor.

    He stared at Arik, his disbelief giving way to anger. ¡°You¡¯ve damned us all, brother. The guilds will have our heads once they find out. All for what? A few crystals and cursed bacon?¡±

    ¡°If they find out, which they won¡¯t¡ªunless anyone here dares spill their guts. The wrath of the guilds will be the least of their worries.¡±

    The adventurers shuffled back from Arik, their faces turning pale.

    Baldor¡¯s eyes burned with fury. ¡°You dare threaten us? I fear you¡¯ve changed, brother. Grown greedy. Now dungeon spoils aren¡¯t enough¡ªyou want to cheat the system.¡±

    Arik wiped the muck from his hammer. ¡°You¡¯re right, Baldor. We cannot keep playing these games forever. We differ on many things, but your arcane sight is blinding you and your clan to the truth. Titans built this world, Baldor. Their flesh is in the soil we stand on, their blood parasites feed off those dungeons where they slumber.¡±

    Baldor¡¯s laugh was bitter. ¡°You think you¡¯re going to outrun time? Beat the beast gods of this world? We¡¯re too old to believe in those bedtime stories, Arik!¡±

    The adventurers kept their distance as well as their silence. Arik could see it in their eyes¡ªfear, doubt. He couldn¡¯t stand it.

    ¡°Set up camp,¡± he barked, his voice sharp. They scattered like ants, moving quickly to obey, but their unease hung in the air like a storm cloud.

    Baldor stepped away, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ll set up the protection array, but after that, I¡¯m done.¡± He turned to leave, anger etched into every movement.

    ¡°Baldor, wait¡ª¡± Arik¡¯s voice was hard, but there was an edge of desperation he couldn¡¯t hide. He let Baldor storm off. They both needed time.

    Arik stood alone with the ruins of the dungeon behind him, confident Baldor would eventually see sense.

    Once the final formation flag was in place, Arik approached Baldor, who side-eyed him from a crouched position. The air cracked like a whip as Baldor snapped his fingers to activate the array.

    Rising to his feet, Baldor glared at Arik. ¡°When you fall, don¡¯t expect me to catch you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Baldor.¡± Arik bowed his head but kept his eyes on his brother.

    ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Baldor gestured to the ruins. ¡°Not about any of this.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong, brother. I am sorry¡ªsorry I destroyed the core without telling you first.¡±

    ¡°I would never have entered if I¡¯d known. You know me well enough to know that. You used me.¡±

    Arik straightened. Those words stung like a slap. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ªthat wasn¡¯t my intention. If you¡¯d only believe we can defy the gods¡ª¡±

    ¡°There are no gods¡­¡± Baldor¡¯s voice was as cold as the ground they stood upon. ¡°Only foolish men who believe they deserve to be worshiped like one. We fought against such tyranny in the last war. Our time here is sacred¡ªone life. Everything we do, good or bad, matters. We¡¯re supposed to be on the side of the righteous, but you... you¡¯re losing sight of that.¡±

    Arik¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°Never. You¡¯re too narrow in your thinking, Baldor. Everything I do is for our people¡ªfor both our clans. The legends of the titans, the ones who created this world¡ªthey¡¯re real, and I¡¯ll prove it to everyone who doubted. In time, your people will see that truth.¡±

    Baldor arched a skeptical brow, crossing his arms. ¡°And how exactly do you plan to prove that, brother? Prove these stories aren¡¯t just tales passed down to scare children?¡±

    Arik reached into his inventory, feeling the warmth of the smooth stone in his hand before pulling it free. ¡°With this.¡± He held it up, the pearly white surface gleaming even in the dim light of the swamp. ¡°This is a sacred beast translation stone, passed down through our clan for generations. It¡¯s said to hold the blood and tears of a titan, allowing the holder to communicate with the titan¡¯s descendants.¡±

    Baldor¡¯s other eyebrow shot up as he leaned in, inspecting the stone with a cautious hand. ¡°It¡¯s infused with raw mana¡­ but there are plenty of those mana stones around if your clan¡¯s wealthy enough.¡± He gestured to his formation flags. ¡°Non-magic wielders in my clan use them to power their arrays, so they don¡¯t have to rely on people like me.¡±

    ¡°Give me the span of a fortnight, brother. That is all I ask of you.¡±

    Baldor¡¯s face twisted in doubt, his brows furrowing as he glanced at the men setting up camp, lighting fires in the growing gloom.

    ¡°Fine. It may take longer to reach the northern plains, but I wager no more than a full turn of the moon.¡± Arik pressed. ¡°If you cast Haste on us both, we¡¯ll be well out of reach from the city guilds by the time news of the swamp dungeon¡¯s destruction spreads.¡±

    Baldor¡¯s eyes flickered toward the adventurers, nodding toward the ones busy with their tasks. ¡°And what about the others?¡±

    ¡°They have been well compensated and know better than to whisper a word of what transpired.¡± Baldor nodded gravely. They both understood the harsh world they lived in¡ªa world where strength and cunning ruled, and loyalty was often bought. The guilds were stretched thin, their resources spread across countless dungeons. They wouldn¡¯t waste their precious forces investigating the destruction of a swamp dungeon, but they might guard their most prized vaults and entryways. Plenty of rogue mercenaries stood ready for hire.

    ¡°That may be so.¡± Baldor¡¯s voice softened, and he rolled up his blood-encrusted sleeve, casting a low-grade healing spell on the wounds trailing up his forearm. The faint glow reflected in his eyes as he worked. ¡°Thousands of men owe you their lives after the Battle of Zerphen, including me.¡±

    Arik watched with grim fascination, giving his warhammer a final swing, as though still feeling the rush of single-handedly felling the monster in that battle. ¡°Two thousand one hundred men, to be exact.¡± The words were sharp, like steel on stone.

    Baldor¡¯s sleeve fell back, loose and flecked with drying blood. ¡°Oh yes, 2,100¡ªhow could I forget, since you remind me every damn time.¡±

    Arik grinned, but Baldor¡¯s gaze lingered on him, intense, searching. Arik''s smile faded.

    ¡°Come with me.¡± Arik¡¯s tone came out less commanding, more pleading. ¡°It won¡¯t be a waste of time. We¡¯ll find evidence of the titan¡¯s descendents existence together.¡±

    Baldor sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging as he handed back the smooth, pearly white mana stone. ¡°Not this time, Arik. I¡¯m tired,¡± he confessed, holding his arm as if it still pained him.

    Arik¡¯s mouth went dry. Some wounds, he knew, went far deeper than flesh¡ªsome scars even the greatest healers could not mend.

    ¡°I have a family, responsibilities. Where you wish to go, I cannot follow. It is too far.¡±

    Arik nodded, resignation setting in his bones. ¡°I understand, brother.¡±

    Baldor gave him a long look, his voice quiet. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired? Don¡¯t you want to settle down?¡±

    Arik let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Rest is for the dead, Baldor.¡± He placed a hand on his brother¡¯s shoulder, squeezing it with the strength of years spent in battle. ¡°May good fortune follow you, until we meet again. And meet again we will, once the dust from this broken dungeon has settled. We¡¯ll share the spoils, like old times.¡±

    They walked back in silence, the warmth of the campfire welcoming them. The adventurers murmured quietly among themselves, their eyes darting toward Arik with lingering unease.

    Arik didn¡¯t voice his final thoughts, keeping them locked away. But behind his back, he clenched his fists. He would not stop. He couldn¡¯t stop. The titans were real¡ªthe key to immortality. Like dragons hoarding gold, they kept their secrets close, feeding off the myths and the ignorance of men.

    Arik would prove it.

    Even if it meant breaking everything in his path.

 ATC 2 Ch. 1: Corruption Hack

    Joe leaned back, trying to get comfortable. Sitting in a booth crafted from bone and prickly kaiju hide made that all but impossible. It was like hugging a cactus. The thing had more sharp edges than that sneaky dark elf, Andras, who stood near the exit with his entourage of starry-eyed ascenders staring at him like he was a pop star pin-up. For now, he was busy reading the battlebox challenge notification Joe had sent him.

    TJ growled as he slung an arm over Brian, who didn¡¯t seem to notice. ¡°This red zone¡¯s a joke. Here¡¯s a booth¡ªit¡¯s alive, made of monster parts, and uncomfortable as hell. Couldn¡¯t they at least use squishy parts for seats?¡±

    He gestured to the living walls pulsing with energy, twitching like the veins of some giant beast. The ground rippled, only a little, like it was reminding everyone, ¡®I¡¯m still in charge.¡¯ For all Joe knew, the Lich could be eavesdropping¡ªunless he was still busy making sure his phylactery was safely tucked away.

    ¡°Stop being such a child, Ryan, and take the damn potion.¡± Gaia looked like she was about five seconds away from shoving the potion down Ryan¡¯s throat herself. Being an ex-goddess didn¡¯t leave a lot of room for patience, but spending time with Ryan had softened her a little¡ªaround the edges, at least. Right now, though? She looked like a disappointed mom. And Joe was pretty sure she¡¯d strangle him if he ever said that out loud.

    Ryan, leader of the Blanche Brigade, wasn¡¯t in his usual understanding mood. Joe didn¡¯t blame him. The guy looked half-dead, his arm a mess of bandages and something green and nasty oozing out. Ryan held the potion at arm''s length like it was radioactive sludge. ¡°I¡¯d rather die all over again than drink more of this. It smells awful and tastes worse.¡±

    Grizzle leaned in with a smile of encouragement. ¡°Ah come on you can do much better, you barely took a sip. It¡¯s the sinolate grass¡ªmakes it bitter. Try holding your nose when you swallow.¡±

    Luna nodded. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I do.¡±

    ¡°If it makes you better, it doesn¡¯t matter if it tastes as horrific as Jupiter¡¯s cock.¡± Gaia pushed Ryan¡¯s hand closer to his lips. The horrified look on Ryan¡¯s face said it all¡ªhe knew she was trying to help, but that comparison was a bit much.

    Joe bit back a laugh, while Rose didn¡¯t even try. ¡°Ooo! Hello, salty goodness!¡±

    Gaia shot her a glare. ¡°What the hell are you on? Magic goombas? It doesn¡¯t taste salty¡ªI would know.¡±

    TJ¡¯s thick eyebrows shot up. ¡°Wow! When I think of how kobolds do it, it¡¯s really quite violent¡ªand not a lot of fun, judging by what you guys are doing.¡±

    That cracked everyone up. Even when the situation was going south, TJ always managed to find humor. Joe could respect that. After all, they were sitting in the belly of a tower made from reanimated kaiju parts, where every step could be their last. A little humor went a long way.

    Ryan winced, clutching his ribs, like the laughter had hurt.

    Dawn waved her hand, leaning back like she¡¯d had enough. ¡°Okay, okay, everyone calm down before this turns into an orgy.¡±

    Joe snorted, trying to keep a straight face. Harem novels popped into his head. Some of them weren¡¯t half bad.

    Rose tucked a strand of raven hair behind her ear, her eyes glossing over as she smiled. ¡°Love can bloom in the strangest places, you know¡­ Sometimes, it¡¯s like a flower growing through a crack in the pavement.¡±

    Joe caught the quick, silent exchange between TJ and Dawn. Rose, you¡¯re sweet, but we¡¯re in a tower designed to chew you up and spit you out. He couldn¡¯t blame them for being cynical. The tower wasn¡¯t exactly a place where happy endings were in the cards.

    And then, of course, Andras strolled over.

    Joe didn¡¯t need to look up to know it was him. The guy always showed up like the star of the show, even when no one had asked for an encore. His floppy fringe fell across his eye as he flashed a thin-lipped smile, casually leaning against the table, like they were all old friends hanging out for drinks.

    ¡°And what¡¯s this I overheard about love and romance? Is this the part where I, the bard, serenade you with tales of dragons and heartbreak?¡± Andras¡¯s voice dripped with sarcasm, like he was too cool for all of them.

    Dawn didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Save it for your memoir, Fucking and Punching Dragons.¡±

    Andras chuckled. ¡°Charming as ever, Dawn.¡±

    Across the booth, Brian¡ªwho had been quiet through most of this¡ªslid a tin of pellets over to Ryan. ¡°Chase it with this.¡± He barely lifted his head to glance at him.

    Joe¡¯s grin faded a little as he looked at Brian. The guy used to be a dwarf, back before the Lich dragged them into new bodies and imprisoned them in this nightmare of a tower. Ever since Joe had met him, Brian had been full of life and jokes. But after the tower had almost hollowed him out¡ªliterally¡ªit was like something in him had just¡­disappeared.

    The tower didn¡¯t just try to kill you. It tried to strip you down, piece by piece, until there was nothing left.

    Grizzle hopped onto a stool and patted Brian¡¯s back. ¡°Let¡¯s get you leveled up at the alchemy station.¡± He didn¡¯t say the rest, but everyone knew what he meant. They couldn¡¯t forget the Lich¡¯s warning¡ª109 ascenders were still below QRL 20. If they didn¡¯t raise their levels soon, they¡¯d be GORED, no questions asked.

    Brian stood, slower than Joe would¡¯ve liked. It wasn¡¯t only exhaustion. There was a heaviness to him, like he was carrying more than his physical injuries. Joe watched him go, feeling that familiar knot of worry twist tighter in his gut. None of them were really ready for the next floor, but the tower wasn¡¯t about to wait.

    Andras, still leaning against the table, grinned like he had all the time in the world. ¡°So, Joe, why not take the battlebox challenge now? You¡¯ve got your team. Do it on your terms.¡±

    Joe leaned back, drumming his fingers on the table. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll take it¡ªwhen I¡¯m good and ready.¡± He shot Andras a grin. ¡°Trust me, I¡¯ll be ready when it counts.¡±

    TJ¡¯s eyes went wide as Gaia fussed with Ryan¡¯s bandages, revealing scales spreading up his arm. He decided now was the perfect time to toss a grenade into the conversation. ¡°So, is Ryan turning into a monster or what?¡±

    Kaiju No. 8 or District 9? Joe wondered, neither good options.

    Ryan groaned, but Joe saw how Brian had flinched at the word monster.

    It wasn¡¯t hard to understand why. The tower didn¡¯t only throw monsters at them¡ªit tried to make monsters out of them. Brian had nearly become one, and even the mention of it was enough to make him recoil.

    ¡°Thanks, Dr. TJ.¡± Dawn punched him in the arm. ¡°You¡¯ve got the bedside manner of a brick.¡±

    TJ shrugged.

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but smile, watching the crew around him. The walls pulsed, like they were listening, but as long as they could keep joking, they weren¡¯t losing. Not yet.

    Dawn¡¯s eyes flicked to her user interface map, invisible to the rest of them except Nick. She traced her fingers through the air. ¡°We need to eat, drink, and regen before we hit floor four. No one¡¯s going up unprepared.¡±

    Nick glanced up from his seat in the booth, giving Dawn a small nod. ¡°No doubt about it, this floor¡¯s going to be a challenge.¡±

    TJ¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, a grin already forming on his face. ¡°What¡¯s it called? Tell me everything. Even if it¡¯s nightmare fuel¡ªI need to know.¡±

    Nick raised an eyebrow, his face scrunching up like he wasn¡¯t sure if TJ was serious or in need of therapy. After a brief pause, he turned to Dawn. ¡°Guess you¡¯re seeing what I¡¯m seeing. Crustacean Cove is the name of the floor, but there are multiple spots on the map flagged for items or monster activity. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been going over.¡±

    ¡°I see it too.¡± Dawn¡¯s expression tightened with focus, eyebrows drawing down in concern. ¡°But I haven¡¯t dug into all the details yet. What are we up against?¡±

    ¡°Red Bamboo Lagoon and Craggy Bottom seem to be the hotspots. Lots of monster activity showing up there. The path to Craggy Bottom is straightforward, but the way to Red Bamboo Lagoon? Underwater.¡±

    Joe scratched his jaw, trying to picture it. ¡°Underwater, huh? Just what we needed. What kind of monsters are lurking down there?¡±

    Nick looked eager to dive back into the map details. The guy had a way with monsters and animals, no surprise he¡¯d chosen the ranger class. He was the map holder for the Blanche Brigade, and as far as Joe was concerned, the king of cool ever since he wrangled velociraptors to help rescue Brian. That¡¯s when you knew Nick was solid¡ªcalm, not big on words, but worth listening to whenever he spoke.

    Nick opened his mouth to explain the monsters that haunted the areas they¡¯d be heading to, but before he could get the words out, the red zone¡¯s heavy doors slid open with a whoosh. An ascender barreled through, wide-eyed and soaked with sweat. The guy didn¡¯t even glance at Joe¡¯s group, making a beeline for his own team.

    The ratfolk huddled in a nearby booth next to a burly kobold who was all fangs and attitude. As soon as the ascender reached them, he started whispering.

    One of the ratfolk¡ªa small, jittery-looking guy with twitchy whiskers¡ªlet out a squeaky yelp before leaping from his seat.

    ¡°A lobster! A giant lobster!¡± The guy¡¯s voice cracked with panic. Sweat flew as he waved his arms around like he was trying to swat away invisible bugs. ¡°It¡¯s gonna pinch us all to death!¡±

    Joe blinked, glancing over at Dawn, who raised an eyebrow. The poor ratfolk looked like he¡¯d just come face to face with a kaiju version of a seafood platter and had a full-blown anime panic attack.

    ¡°We can handle a lobster.¡± The kobold huffed, arms crossed. ¡°Stick with me and we¡¯ll flame the crusty creep.¡±

    That did nothing to ease the panic of the littlest ratfolk. ¡°We¡¯re doomed! I bet it¡¯s got claws the size of a¡ª¡± He paused, frowning as if trying to remember what came next. ¡°Something really, really big!¡± He clutched his head, fur shaking as he ran around in tight circles. ¡°DOOMED!¡±

    The kobold finally lost his patience and grabbed the little guy by the shoulders. ¡°The size of a bus?¡±

    The ratfolk blinked, confusion replacing his panic for a second. ¡°Yeah¡­ a bus¡­¡± His whiskers twitched again, and he looked like he was about to start another freakout.

    The kobold wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°Pull yourself together, Squick! We¡¯ve survived worse!¡±

    Squick slowly nodded, looking half convinced. ¡°I just...I think I have a seafood allergy¡­¡±

    Gaia snorted, crossing her arms as she watched the scene unfold. ¡°He¡¯s worse than Ryan was when I tried to make him take that potion.¡±

    Ryan, who had been sitting off to the side, staring at the floor, blinked and absentmindedly nodded. Joe caught sight of the bandage wrapped around his arm. The clean gauze was already darkening with fresh ooze, the scaly patches creeping further up his skin. It wasn¡¯t looking good.

    ¡°Hey, Father Daydream.¡± Gaia waved a hand in Ryan¡¯s face, snapping him out of his trance. ¡°You still with us?¡±

    Ryan rapidly blinked, his eyes struggling to focus. ¡°Huh? Sorry, what did you say?¡±

    Gaia¡¯s sharp features softened for a second, guilt crossing her face. ¡°What¡¯s more important than hanging on my every word, huh? Priests are supposed to listen when a goddess speaks directly to them.¡± She laughed at her own joke, but no one else did. Joe forced out a chuckle, but it sounded fake even to him. He felt bad for Gaia¡ªher attempt at being more human was falling flat.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Ryan gave a weak smile. ¡°I don¡¯t think the healing potion¡¯s working this time.¡± He raised his bandaged arm. ¡°Checked my status earlier. Looks like there¡¯s a corruption detected.¡±

    TJ scowled. ¡°What the hell¡¯s that mean?¡±

    Ryan shrugged. ¡°No idea. There¡¯s no further info on it.¡±

    Brian, who had just re-entered the room, clearly caught the last part of the conversation. ¡°Corruption means it¡¯s something not recognized by the system. Unlike a curse or debuff, which the tower¡¯s aware of and generates.¡±

    Joe scratched his chin, frowning. ¡°So, corruption¡¯s like a hack? Something the system can¡¯t deal with?¡±

    Rose, her eyes wide, leaned forward. ¡°You think the Time Hacker did this?¡±

    Brian stroked his goatee. ¡°We don¡¯t know that yet.¡± He sighed, shoulders sagging as he slumped into his seat.

    Joe realized Grizzle wasn¡¯t with him. ¡°You¡¯re back quicker than I expected.¡± Joe rested an arm on the table.

    ¡°That¡¯s because, as a red zoner, I was denied access to the alchemy room.¡± Brian winced as if the words themselves stung.

    ¡°Oh, Brian.¡± Dawn placed a hand on his shoulder. Everyone knew how much Brian loved working in that space. Being locked out was a blow, especially with his plan to raise his QRL before time ran out.

    Brian pressed his lips together. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. We need to focus on helping Ryan before his corruption spreads.¡±

    ¡°We can do both.¡± Nick tapped his temple and glanced between the two groups. ¡°We¡¯ve got the brains and resources together to help both Brian and Ryan.¡±

    TJ cracked his knuckles. ¡°What do you need, big guy? He looked ready to tear the tower apart.

    Brian sighed, his usual lively spirit dimmed. ¡°I need to level up my QRL the old-fashioned way¡ªby killing monsters. But if I go alone¡­¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t be alone,¡± TJ interrupted, slamming a fist onto the table. ¡°I¡¯m with you.¡±

    Dawn frowned, eyes flicking toward where Andras had been lounging earlier. ¡°We still have the battlebox challenge to deal with, TJ. Let¡¯s not forget.¡±

    Nick shook his head. ¡°Brian doesn¡¯t have time.¡±

    ¡°And neither does Ryan,¡± Gaia cut in, making it clear her priority was with the priest, not Brian.

    Joe clapped his hands together, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°Alright, we divide and conquer¡ªsort of. Nick, Luna, think you can find a good spot for Brian to level up?¡±

    Nick frowned, looking grim. ¡°In theory, yeah, but the level gap is huge. If he fights alone, he¡¯ll die every time unless we help.¡±

    Gaia scoffed, arms crossed. ¡°I¡¯m not spoon-feeding him monsters like a toddler. I told you before¡ªI¡¯m nobody¡¯s mother.¡±

    Joe stifled a laugh. The irony wasn¡¯t lost on him¡ªGaia was, according to Earth myths, the Mother and wife of Uranus. She¡¯d always denied the legends, calling them lies, but Joe couldn¡¯t help wondering if her memory was slipping like Halcyon had warned. Now wasn¡¯t the time to ask, though.

    Brian didn¡¯t seem offended by Gaia¡¯s comment. In fact, he didn¡¯t seem to register it at all. His usual liveliness was gone, replaced with a quiet detachment. ¡°You should take care of Ryan,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°I left some notes in the party chat about the tower¡¯s self-defense systems. If we trigger them, the tower will release guardians. I was interested in their weapons, so I asked Poppy to dig up what she could.¡±

    TJ frowned. ¡°And what¡¯s that got to do with fixing Ryan¡¯s corruption?¡±

    Brian shook his head. ¡°Nothing directly. But if his corruption gets worse, the tower might treat him like an infection. We need to learn everything about the tower¡¯s defenses so we can counter them and keep Ryan safe.¡±

    Gaia blinked in surprise, then nodded. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually pretty smart. Thanks.¡±

    Dawn snickered. ¡°Look who¡¯s eating humble pie.¡±

    Brian exhaled, his eyes tired. ¡°Grizzle¡¯s still looking for a solution in the alchemy room. He¡¯s got a few ideas, but you should update him on Ryan¡¯s system status. See if he can come up with something to slow the corruption.¡±

    Brian turned to Nick and Luna, his shoulders sagging. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to soften up a few big bad monsters for me to kill, I¡¯d be in your debt¡ªand really grateful.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense! We look out for each other.¡± Luna¡¯s cheerful presence was a stark contrast as she waved off his concern like it was nothing. ¡°Of course we¡¯ll do it, won¡¯t we, Nick?¡±

    She didn¡¯t even glance at Nick, confident in his agreement. He nodded without hesitation. ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    Brian took a long drag on his vape of clarity, but his eyes were distant, somewhere far away. ¡°Each floor levels up the monster game, and I¡¯m so far behind at QRL 6.¡±

    ¡°Gotta keep an eye out for hollows...¡± said an ascender from the booth nearby. He stood, his face drawn with the kind of weariness that only the tower could carve into someone. ¡°Poor Davis...what a horrible way to go.¡±

    The room fell silent, a heavy stillness settling over everyone as they bowed their heads in quiet respect.

    Joe¡¯s gaze shifted to Brian, who seemed even paler than before. His hand hovered over his vape pen for a moment before he tucked it away, almost like it had become something tainted. Joe couldn¡¯t blame the guy¡ªif anyone deserved a little PTSD after all this, it was Brian. Joe had been so focused on getting him out of that mess, he hadn¡¯t stopped to think about what Brian would actually remember once he was back.

    Halcyon¡¯s voice cut through the silence, the flicker of his presence heating Joe¡¯s chest. ¡°He remembers it all. Every single thing.¡±

    Joe swallowed hard. He didn¡¯t have a snappy comeback for that one. For once, Halcyon¡¯s usual biting tone had been replaced by something softer. Concern? Sympathy? That wasn¡¯t Halcyon¡¯s usual playbook. Something had changed between them ever since Halcyon finally revealed his name.

    ¡°Life is difficult, chump.¡±

    Joe¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that, HAL?¡± He mentally spat the unapproved nickname out, knowing he sounded a little childish, but seriously¡ªhe thought they¡¯d moved past the whole ¡°chump¡± thing by now.

    ¡°You know it, but you don¡¯t accept it.¡± Halcyon ignored his name jab like Joe couldn¡¯t be bothered with the effort of mockery. ¡°It¡¯s one of the universal truths all mortals face, no matter what planet they¡¯re born on.¡±

    Joe abruptly stood, forcing a tight smile. ¡°I¡¯ll go grab some drinks and snacks. Be right back.¡± Dawn shot him a curious look, but the others simply nodded, too deep in their own heads to question him.

    As he walked away, he felt the urge to scream at Halcyon to shut up. To just¡­stop. There was a part of him that wanted to run. Simply bolt and escape to a place where Halcyon¡¯s voice couldn¡¯t follow him.

    ¡°You have no idea the kind of shit that¡¯s happened in my life.¡± The words tumbled out, anger sharpening his voice as he stalked towards the food and drinks area. ¡°I lost...everything I cared about most before I died. You talk about acceptance, but you don¡¯t get it. You don¡¯t get me. How could you? So don¡¯t preach to me like you¡¯re some wise sage and I¡¯m your clueless student. If you were so smart, you wouldn¡¯t have been fooled by one of my kind.¡±

    A long silence followed, amplifying the slithering unease coiling in his gut. He knew what it was¡ªregret. And shame.

    ¡°Listen, Halcyon, I¡ª"

    ¡°Never feel ashamed for speaking the truth. I don¡¯t.¡± Halcyon¡¯s tone was back to its usual grandiosity. ¡°Never doubt my magnificence, but it¡¯s true¡­ when I was young, I was dumb and full of¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t need the picture,¡± Joe interrupted, shaking his head with a smirk. Somehow, Halcyon¡¯s words made him feel a little better.

    Halcyon pressed on, his voice calmer. ¡°You know, acceptance doesn¡¯t mean giving up. It doesn¡¯t mean letting bad things happen or skipping the grieving process when your loved ones die. You can¡¯t control everything and life¡¯s challenges force you to grow.¡±

    Joe sighed, his hands loosening at his sides. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is, once I understand and accept that life¡¯s a mess, it¡¯ll stop being so difficult?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Joe blinked as the blue flame of Halcyon¡¯s presence flickered once, then slowly faded into nothing.

    Joe stared at the messy food and drink station, shaking his head. It looked like a hurricane had blown through, leaving packets and cups strewn everywhere. He picked up one of the packets with a red label. "Noodles with Meat Substitute, Beef Flavor." Yeah, because that¡¯s always a good sign.

    He shrugged, grabbed a few packets along with a flask of water, and threw in several cups for good measure. The machine next to it looked like it was supposed to make tea or coffee, but it was so caked in grime that Joe doubted it had made anything but bacteria for months. He decided not to push his luck.

    Shaking his head, he returned to the table and plopped down beside Dawn. ¡°Breakfast is served, folks.¡± He casually tossed the mystery packets to the group like they were winning prizes. For good measure, he offered it with some of his dried seaweed¡ªbecause if anyone could make this fake meat paste a little more tolerable, it was him. ¡°This should make it taste¡­ less like cardboard.¡± He wasn¡¯t hopeful, though.

    Rose poured water into cups for everyone and took a cautious sip, her nose wrinkling.

    TJ slurped the noodles and swallowed the meat clumps whole, giving a satisfied nod. "This ain''t half bad," he said, proving once again that TJ had the taste buds of a trash compactor.

    Dawn rolled her eyes and passed out her own rations from the green zone, far more edible, which everyone accepted with relief.

    Brian, who had been off in his own world, suddenly blinked in realization. "Oh, right." He dug into his inventory. "I still have potions. Here." He handed them around, boosting everyone¡¯s mana and health like it was no big deal.

    Dawn finished her water and set the cup down with a firm clink. ¡°I think it¡¯s high time you head out to Crustacean Cove, Nick.¡± She glanced at him, then locked her gaze on Joe. ¡°Look after him while we go hand Andras his ass on a platter.¡±

    Nick smirked, a little too confident for someone about to dive into a kaiju-infested deathtrap. "Wish I could see that," he said with a wistful sigh, but Luna cut in, eyes bright.

    ¡°We¡¯ll all look out for each other, won¡¯t we?¡± she chirped, throwing a friendly arm over Nick¡¯s shoulder. She tried to reach up and around Brian too, but it was like trying to hug a boulder. Brian barely noticed, still sipping his potion with the casual indifference of a guy who''s seen too much to care about social cues.

    Without a word, Brian stood up, not bothering to wish them luck or even glance back as he trudged toward the entrance to floor four. The door whooshed open, a salty breeze carrying a hint of ocean air, and Joe swore he heard gulls screeching in the distance.

    Luna gave them a cheery wave, bouncing on her toes like this was another day at the beach. ¡°Good luck in the battlebox! Win lots of time, okay?¡±

    Brian slow-jogged to catch up with Luna, who was already bouncing along ahead of him like a hyperactive puppy.

    As soon as they were out of sight, TJ let his grin slip. "Brian¡¯s not okay. We should do something, you know? He can have the time I win when I kick Andras¡¯ balls up his hoohah!¡±

    Dawn shook her head, her voice low. ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s enough time in the world to fix what happened to him.¡± She looked at TJ. ¡°And if you want to kick Andras anywhere, we¡¯ve got to plan. It¡¯s five against one, remember?¡±

    Gaia raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why not defer the battle? If you can keep me waiting after I challenged you, then you can certainly do the same to that bard who¡¯s not fit to lick my boots.¡± She pushed her full cup of water aside like it offended her, then pulled out a small vial and knocked it back with one swift gulp. The curious glances from the group didn¡¯t go unnoticed. "Morning Dew. It¡¯s a thirst quencher." She shrugged. Her bracelet glowed, and Joe got the sense it wasn¡¯t simply a drink but something tied to her mana senses.

    From the nearby booth, Andras snorted, clearly eavesdropping. Joe wished he¡¯d just leave, but no¡ªhe lingered like a bad smell, flashing his vicious grin at Gaia.

    Dawn, though, wasn¡¯t about to let it slide. She stood, eyes locked on Andras, and stalked toward him with a dangerous edge in her step. She leaned on the table, hands firmly planted as she got in his face. ¡°You got entertainment where you come from?¡±

    Andras blinked, thrown off by her sudden boldness. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand the magnificence of my world. Magic and elegance beyond anything you could comprehend. Every elf¡¯s voice could weave spells in the air.¡±

    Dawn raised a brow. ¡°Magic, huh? Yeah, I was never into that fantasy crap. Give me gritty crime dramas and psychological horror any day. And, oh yeah, the original Tom & Jerry cartoons¡ªthose Fred Quimby ones? Classic. The violence was fantastic. Not soft like you." She leaned closer, practically baring her teeth. "You know what they say? A laugh is just a civilized snarl. Ever seen a dog or a cat when they want something to back off? They don¡¯t grin like idiots. They ¡®RRRAAAWWWRRR!¡¯¡±

    Dawn actually snarled at him, and everyone at the table, even Andras, flinched like she¡¯d lost her mind.

    ¡°And they definitely don¡¯t have a corn-fed, shit-eating grin like yours, Andras. As fake as the promises you feed your followers. You¡¯re about as welcome here as a goblin in a porcelain shop, so why don¡¯t you make like a tree and leave?¡±

    Rose flashed a mock smile. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t call us, we¡¯ll call you.¡±

    Andras flicked his hair back, clearly unimpressed, though his face twitched at Dawn¡¯s words. ¡°You¡¯re not right in the head, you know that, Dawn? I¡¯ve tried to help you, but you surround yourself with fools.¡± He reached out, offering his hand. "My offer still stands. You could join us."

    Joe tensed, knowing it took everything in Dawn not to slap his hand away. Instead, she growled low, and Andras took the hint, backing off.

    "Defer the battle if you want, it won¡¯t bother me," he called over his shoulder. "But remember, you only have four against my faction of five. Numbers matter in the battlebox.¡± He turned to leave, pipes in hand, playing a tune that somehow made his followers fall in line behind him, like the Pied Piper leading rats. ¡°For the record, I¡¯m leaving because slumming it in the red zone is beneath me."

    Joe watched them go, biting back a string of curses as Dawn and TJ muttered their own under their breath.

    Gaia crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "He¡¯s right about one thing. Red zone battleboxes limit what we can do. If you want a high-stakes challenge, you need enough time to compete in the orange zone."

    Joe checked their statuses¡ªeach Titan Slayer listed as an Ascender 10 as the Lich would identify them. After donating time to Brian, they were short by at least thirty years¡ªnowhere near enough to raise the stakes. Andras had played them again, and Joe felt that familiar twist of frustration. He¡¯d accepted the challenge without considering the limitations of the red zone, and now they were stuck.

    Meanwhile, Andras lounged comfortably in the green zone, with plenty of followers across multiple factions, all thanks to his charisma and empty promises. It amazed Joe how eager ascenders were to believe in him. But then again, desperate times made people desperate¡ªdesperate enough to believe one cocky elf could solve all their problems.

    Joe shook his head, trying to shake off the frustration. "Alright, so we don¡¯t have enough time, and we¡¯re definitely not about to win any faction popularity contests. Anyone got any bright ideas?"

    Gaia shrugged, her tone casual. ¡°Do what I did¡ªget some sponsorship.¡±

    TJ snorted. ¡°We¡¯re not exactly popular, Gaia.¡±

    "You only need one faction to think you''re worth it." She flicked her gaze at Dawn.

    Suddenly, Dawn¡¯s face lit up, an idea clearly striking her. ¡°I know who¡­¡±

    Joe¡¯s grin spread, catching on to what she was thinking. ¡°The Bruiser Battalion.¡±

 ATC 2 Ch. 2: Red Tape

    Joe took a seat beside Ryan, tapping his fingers against the table while Gaia checked her user interface, getting herself up to speed on the Bruiser Battalion. He couldn¡¯t see what she was looking at but he trusted her to handle the details. His gaze drifted around the room, trying to keep his mind from wandering too much.

    TJ was messing with his decagon, looking like he was ready to punch something¡ªor someone. Dawn quietly examined her MadOrbz with the kind of focus that always made him feel like she was already two steps ahead of everyone.

    Rose sat with her eyes closed, likely running battle simulations in her head, figuring out how to weave her support skills with TJ¡¯s attacks. It¡¯d be her first experience in the arena against someone else other than the AI.

    But Joe¡¯s mind kept slipping back to Brian. Out on floor four, grinding monsters with Nick and Luna. Joe trusted Nick¡ªpractically born for the ranger class¡ªand Luna was solid.

    But Brian? Physically, the guy was tough, but mentally? Joe wasn¡¯t so sure. Brian had been through a lot, and the tower didn¡¯t exactly have a "take a mental health day" option.

    ¡°Hope they¡¯re holding up,¡± Joe said to himself.

    Gaia, sitting nearby, let out a skeptical sigh, snapping Joe back to the present. ¡°This Bruiser Battalion...they¡¯re a rough bunch.¡±

    Joe stopped tapping his fingers and looked over at her. ¡°Yeah?¡±

    Gaia nodded, her eyes darting as she sifted through info he couldn¡¯t see. ¡±They¡¯re the type that proves ¡®the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.¡¯ Most of them are orange zoners, except their leader. They¡¯ve got numbers¡ªseven in total, one of the biggest factions, second to Andras¡¯ meat farm. And at least a couple of them are probably pulling time currency from backdoor deals.¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sounds like they know how to hustle.¡±

    Gaia gave him a wry look. ¡°Yeah, but rough types like that don¡¯t just hand out sponsorships for free. You sure they¡¯ll agree to help?¡±

    TJ leaned back, shrugging. ¡°We saved their butts on the last floor. They owe us one.¡±

    Gaia¡¯s skeptical expression softened a little. ¡°Good, because the leader¡¯s on her way here.¡±

    Joe blinked. ¡°Now?¡±

    Gaia smirked. ¡°No time like the present. But don¡¯t think it¡¯s as simple as asking for a favor. Sponsorship deals come with strings attached¡ªthere¡¯s tower red tape to cut through. I¡¯ve got it covered.¡±

    She turned her sharp gaze to Ryan, who looked like he¡¯d been zoning out. ¡°Ryan, time to make yourself useful.¡±

    Ryan blinked, eyes widening. ¡°Me? Uh...Sure. Wait, there aren¡¯t any forms, right?¡± He raised his bandaged arm like it was a valid excuse to duck paperwork.

    Joe chuckled. Bureaucracy: the universal villain.

    Gaia tutted. ¡°Forms? No. It¡¯s all interactive through the trade window.¡±

    Before Ryan could question her further, the door swung open, and in strolled KT, leader of the Bruiser Battalion and probably the toughest dwarf-elf hybrid Joe had ever seen. She was small, but her presence filled the room like a tank rolling in, ammo loaded. Her yellow-tinted glasses caught the light, making her eyes sparkle, and her confident smile felt like one of those cozy hugs your grandma gave you¡ªexcept if you crossed her, that same grin could probably melt steel.

    ¡°All right, Titan Slayer.¡± KT casually swung her helmet by the strap, as if it doubled as a weapon. ¡°I hear you need a little help getting to the orange zone battlebox.¡±

    Joe kept his cool, leaning back with a casual nod. ¡°Yeah. Figured we could call in that favor from the last floor. We get the time currency, you get the satisfaction of watching Andras go down. Win-win.¡±

    KT¡¯s grin widened, and she flexed her black spiked gloves, rainbow sparks flickering between the spikes. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m all in for that. But you know how it works¡ªfavors come with conditions. Especially when we¡¯re talking sponsorship.¡±

    Joe leaned forward, grinning. ¡°Lay it on me.¡±

    KT didn¡¯t blink, her voice as steady as her gaze. ¡°Before the battle starts, you broadcast a little message for us across the entire tower. Nothing too wild¡ªjust a reminder of who¡¯s backing the winners.¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow, surprised at how easy the request was. ¡°That¡¯s it? You want a shout-out? Fine. Let me know what you want said, and consider it done.¡±

    KT tapped the side of her nose, then glanced at Gaia. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, nothing too crazy. But how about you tell me exactly what kind of sponsorship deal we¡¯re talking about here, and what happens if you win¡ªor lose?¡±

    Gaia, stepped in with a calm smile. ¡°If we win, you¡¯ll get a percentage of the prize pool. If we lose, you get first right of refusal for future sponsorships.¡±

    KT¡¯s smile briefly faded as she weighed the terms, then nodded. ¡°I can live with that. Just make sure that announcement is loud and clear.¡±

    TJ stood up, thumbing his chest. ¡°That¡¯s my specialty.¡±

    KT stepped forward and offered her hand to Joe. As they shook, Joe felt the familiar shift of time currency, but this time it didn¡¯t feel like it was going into his soul bank. Something felt... different.

    ¡°Uh... where¡¯s it going?¡± Joe frowned, eyebrows knitting together.

    Gaia stepped in smoothly. ¡°It¡¯s not going to your individual soul bank. For sponsorships like this, the time currency gets stored in a virtual soul jar¡ªaccessible only by active Titan Slayer faction members.¡±

    Joe nodded, processing that. ¡°So it¡¯s like... a team wallet? Only we can dip into it?¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Gaia confirmed, patting his shoulder. ¡°Keeps things tidy, prevents any funny business. Wouldn¡¯t want it going missing before it¡¯s added to the prize pool.¡±Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    KT¡¯s grin returned, this time a little more savage. ¡°Looking forward to seeing you make him eat dirt.¡±

    TJ cracked his knuckles, his grin just as savage. ¡°We¡¯re gonna do a lot more than that.¡±

    As KT left, Dawn leaned over and whispered. ¡°I don¡¯t know if we just made the best deal of our lives or signed up for something insane.¡±

    Joe smirked, his grin widening. ¡°Probably both. But hey, we¡¯ve got the sponsorship, we¡¯ve got the time. Now all we need is a strategy to wipe that smug grin off Andras¡¯ face.¡±

    Gaia smirked, crossing her arms. "See, I have your back." Her expression softened once again as she glanced down at Ryan. "You need to lie down in the bunks. I¡¯m not going to let you rot away on this bony booth."

    Ryan didn''t protest as she helped him to his feet, though a light sheen of sweat covered his forehead, giving him the look of someone fighting off a fever.

    Joe gave a quick nod. "We¡¯ll see you after our challenge."

    Covering a cough, Ryan withdrew a little flag marked with Titan Slayers and gave it a wave. ¡°I¡¯m not missing the show.¡±

    Rose exhaled a soft sigh. ¡°We appreciate your support. Rest up, I want you celebrating with us when we shove Andras¡¯ face into the dirt.¡±

    A smile appeared on Ryan¡¯s face before he coughed and Gaia ushered him faster to the bunks.

    After they walked away, the red zone quieted to the dull puffs from ascenders straining all hopes that they could from Andras¡¯ Eternity Sticks. Their odorless smoke trailed near the floor exit.

    Joe leaned on the table, addressing them with a slight frown. "Are we thinking we wait for Brian to come back before we head to the orange zone? We¡¯ve still got about three hours of deferment before the battlebox kicks off."

    TJ glanced toward the exit, his gaze lingering on the door. "I''m all for staying until the last minute, even with the crappy red zone accommodations."

    Joe shrugged. "All right then. TJ, did you upgrade your MadOrbz, or what¡¯s new in your decagon?"

    The table shook as TJ dropped his decagon onto it with a heavy thud. He grinned and tapped a few of the windows, where small, writhing orbs¡ªhis MadOrbz¡ªslammed against the glass, trying to break free. "I''ve been thinking about it. I have five attack orbs, and two of them were upgraded to the enhanced tier." His smile widened. "These guys deal serious damage, and they¡¯re not out of control like that first berserker orb you saw in the tutorial."

    Dawn wore a look of relief and optimism that mirrored Joe''s. He half expected her to tease him about his orb¡¯s past demolition derby style antics but she didn¡¯t say a word. The fact she didn¡¯t give voice to whatever was bubbling under the surface made him think that the armor of sarcasm she used to keep everyone at arm¡¯s length was starting to wear down.

    "Great TJ. With your earth orbs, we¡¯ll want you as our lead damage dealer." Joe shifted his focus back to Dawn. "What about you? Any preloved orbs?"

    She slightly lifted her chin, her fiery red hair framing her face. "I took your advice and talked to Caspar. Picked up a couple of combo orbs, and I snagged one pre-loved fire orb¡ªa prime-tier attacker."

    ¡°Prime tier?¡± Rose¡¯s eyes lit up, and she exchanged a grin with TJ.

    ¡°Hell yeah!¡± TJ slapped the table, clearly delighted. ¡°I hope they like their asses flamb¨¦ed and served up to ¡¯em on a plate." He leaned back, eyes gleaming with excitement.

    Joe toyed with his hoodie strings, feeding off their enthusiasm. "Excellent. With the insult cycle, we¡¯ll need your fire to take down any earth defenses that Andras¡¯ team throws at us." He turned his attention to Rose, who had been quiet until now. "I know you¡¯ve only gone up against the simulation practice battleboxes, but please tell me you¡¯re experienced in melee."

    Rose leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and steepling her fingers, letting out a long sigh. "There are things you don¡¯t know about me, Joe. Even if I haven¡¯t completed a battlebox challenge, I definitely have experience in the arena. I know how to throw down."

    Her intense gaze made Joe¡¯s pulse quicken, and he nodded, leaning back against the booth. "Well, we¡¯re one man down, so we¡¯ll have to come out strong. We need to be unpredictable¡ªuse more mana."

    Dawn¡¯s brow furrowed. "We have to be smart. More mana means longer cooldowns on our MadOrbz."

    Joe twisted a loose cord on his hoodie, thinking it through. "But with more mana, we get increased range and versatility. We can play off each other¡¯s orb strengths. Our common thread is earth affinity¡ªwhether from our race or class.¡±

    Rose raised her finger. ¡°Uh, no, as a hybrid race, I actually have two affinities from there¡ªwind and earth, but water with my mage class.¡± She grinned. ¡°Consider me your triple threat.¡±

    TJ chuckled. ¡°Hidden power. Andras better be ready for us.¡±

    Joe smiled at the thought of a surprise cannon. Now it made even more sense as to why the earth-aligned blood thorns equipped so easily to her staff¡ªher class affinity and race affinities were more than compatible. ¡°Anyone else have combo orbs besides Dawn and me?"

    The group exchanged glances, each weighing the strengths they could bring to the upcoming challenge.

    Joe twisted the cord of his hoodie between his fingers, lost in thought.

    TJ nudged him with a grin. "What¡¯s got your fingers all tied up, huh? I know red¡¯s not our best color¡ªunless we¡¯re talking about enemy blood. But don¡¯t let it get to you.¡±

    Joe managed a small smile at TJ¡¯s relentless enthusiasm for their battles. ¡°Since we¡¯re stuck in the red zone, I couldn¡¯t access Caspar.¡±

    ¡°Not even through a trade window?¡± Dawn crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

    Joe let the cord slip from his hand, shaking his head. ¡°Nope. He¡¯s outside of his available hours here. Turns out the red zone has a really short trading window with him. But that¡¯s fine. We¡¯ll make do with what we¡¯ve got. At least some of you managed to grab supplies before the window closed.¡±

    Dawn nodded. ¡°Once we¡¯re back in the orange zone, you can stop by Caspar before we head to the next floor.¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡± Joe settled into a seat and leaned against the table. ¡°For now, let¡¯s focus on our melee strategy. If you haven¡¯t already, adjust your stance to maximize anything that¡¯ll help us in the battlebox and on this floor.¡± He glanced around the group. ¡°And don¡¯t forget to use your inventory class items to boost your orb abilities.¡±

    Rose wrapped her hands around a paper cup of water, her expression determined. ¡°Already ahead of you. I¡¯ve run through the simulations, my stats are maxed, and...¡± She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m more than ready to get back to the higher zones. I¡¯ve got everything visualized.¡±

    She opened her eyes and looked over at TJ, who was picking his fingernail with the edge of his machete. ¡°You ready?¡±

    TJ flicked some dirt off the blade and tapped the machete against the table, the metal clinking. ¡°You kidding? I¡¯m always ready for melee. Even put another point into intelligence.¡±

    Dawn laughed, sliding into the booth beside Joe. ¡°Good. We¡¯re going to need it. I¡¯m more than ready to take down that emo elf and his followers.¡±

    Joe pulled up his stats, his smile fading into a more serious expression. If it hadn¡¯t been for the last battles when they went to find Brian, he¡¯d barely have made it to QRL 20. A weight settled on his chest as he thought about Brian¡¯s struggle to survive the Lich¡¯s threat. Brian, more than any of them, understood what it meant to avoid being GORED. Joe hoped his friend was closing in on Silver Rank QRL before the Lich decided that time ran out.

    Shaking off the unease, he focused back on his stats. He had a few flex points to assign. His rogue class naturally boosted his dexterity, intelligence, and charisma, but left him lacking in wisdom, strength, and constitution. He knew Andras¡¯ charisma was high¡ªprobably his strongest stat. If Joe wanted to sway others to his side, he¡¯d need more of it himself and his eternal honor, Silver-Tongued Rogue, only added plus one to charisma during trades.

    Joe tugged the cord of his hoodie as he¡¯d made up his mind. He split his remaining flex points between charisma and wisdom, deciding to rely on TJ and the others for their strength. As for constitution¡ªhe¡¯d just have to not get himself killed.

    [Ascender #: 10

    Race: Human

    Class: Rogue

    QRL: Bronze Rank, QRL 20

    Ascender Status: Red

    Health Points (HP): 200/200

    Mana Particles (MP): 246/224

    Stamina: 200/200

    Strength: 4

    Dexterity: 39

    Intelligence: 24

    Wisdom: 9

    Charisma: 22

    Constitution: 5

    Flex Points: 0]

 ATC 2 Ch. 3: Battlebox Blues

    Returning to the orange zone felt like stepping into the world¡¯s weirdest waiting room. Joe¡¯s stomach did a flip, though he tried to ignore it. At first glance, nothing seemed too strange¡ªjust ascenders crowded around screens, hungrily watching battlebox replays and strategizing, eyes gleaming with thoughts of time credits. Others lounged in booths, enjoying top-tier food and drink, worlds away from the rations they¡¯d endured in the red zone. He was more than thankful they were able to increase their ascender ranks through the Bruiser Battalion¡¯s sponsorship.

    Dawn slowed her pace, nudging Joe and gesturing toward the far corner. Her voice dropped low. ¡°Back home, we had graveyards with more life than that.¡±

    Joe followed her gaze, pulling on his hoodie strings as a pit formed in his stomach. Several ascenders sat in slumped groups, eternity sticks dangling from their mouths, eyes glazed over. They had that soulless look that reminded Joe too much of the hollows they¡¯d fought while rescuing Brian¡ªonly these guys weren¡¯t mindless monsters. They looked on the edge of something about to turn rotten.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care how low my mana gets, I¡¯m not ending up like that.¡± TJ cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp against the eerie silence.

    ¡°No reason to stick around longer than we need to.¡± Rose¡¯s staff flicked in the direction of the battlebox arena entrance.

    One of the eternity-stick zombies pulled his stick from his mouth and whispered something to his friend, eyes fixed on Joe¡¯s group. It was unsettling. Joe half-expected them to go full Invasion of the Body Snatchers¡ªpoint and scream.

    Rubbing his hands together to shake off the chill, Joe nodded toward the arena. ¡°Lead the way, Rose.¡±

    TJ grunted, glaring at the group. ¡°Creepy fuckers are lucky I¡¯ve got somewhere better to be, or I¡¯d rearrange their faces.¡± He kept his stare locked onto them until they were well out of the room, but Joe could still feel the hairs prickling on the back of his neck. He didn¡¯t dare look back¡ªhe knew they were still watching.

    ¡°How do we compete against a bard-turned-drug baron who uses charisma as a weapon?¡± Rose frowned.

    ¡°There¡¯s a story from my world about a pied piper.¡± Dawn tightened her hair into a bun. ¡°He got the upper hand but felt cheated by the townsfolk. Pride comes before the fall. We just need to find the crack in Andras¡¯ armor.¡±

    As they neared the entrance to the arena, the eerie quiet settled over them like a thick fog. No sign of Andras or his team. Entering the arena, Joe¡¯s boots squeaked against the pristine floor, the air so sterile it smelled like a hospital.

    Andras and his crew were already waiting for them at the center, all dressed in their matching green hoodies, cargo pants, and boots. They looked like they¡¯d just walked off the set of a dystopian rock band photo shoot.

    Andras gestured, like he was seeing an imaginary timer. ¡°Finally.¡± He smirked. ¡°Thought you¡¯d changed your mind. But hey, it¡¯s not too late to back out.¡±

    Joe was about to fire back a reply when he felt the shift beneath his feet. The floor of the arena groaned, splitting open and heaving like the bones of some ancient beast pushing to the surface. He saw Rose¡¯s eyes widen as the slick, polished court transformed. What had been smooth and predictable now became jagged and chaotic¡ªsharp rocks jutting out, uneven ridges forming craggy terrain, dust swirling in the air, gritty against his tongue.

    ¡°Now we¡¯re talking.¡± TJ grinned, his boots crunching against the rough terrain as he patted his decagon. ¡°Won¡¯t be long before we crush their arrogance like a boulder falling on an egg.¡±

    The kobold with the stone-cold killer look drew her clawed finger across her neck like a blade. ¡°Oi, what¡¯re ya lookin¡¯ at? Yer nothin¡¯ but a dead man walkin¡¯. Power¡¯s the only currency that matters, and yer flat broke.¡±

    Andras stood by, watching with that thin-lipped smile of his, like a proud parent. ¡°Well said, Fedelma.¡± His voice dripped with approval. ¡°Now, let me formally introduce you to the team that¡¯s going to destroy any hopes you have of winning.¡± He threw an arm over the kobold¡¯s shoulder. Her penny-rusted scales glinted as she shot him a look like she might rip his arm off and beat him with it.

    Clearing his throat he quickly backed off.

    Joe recognized her from the orange zone common room¡ªgreedy for power back then, and it seemed nothing had changed. Andras moved on with a dismissive sigh, his gaze landing on the twitchy ratfolk.

    ¡°I believe you¡¯ve met our Johnny before.¡± Andras barely glanced in the ratfolk¡¯s direction.

    Johnny twitched, his tail flicking as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. His beady eyes darted around the arena like he was trying to memorize every rock and angle.

    Andras clapped his hands together, pride gleaming in his eyes. ¡°And beside him, we have our most promising new member, Taz. Proof that size doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    The dwarf wasn¡¯t paying attention, too caught up by her new surroundings, like a child in a playground eager to run off and climb everything in sight.

    Joe toyed with the strings of his hoodie. ¡°Yeah, your stats guy. We met after the titans on floor two were defeated, and you blamed us for cheating.¡±

    The elf rubbing shoulders with Andras flicked his blond hair back and stepped forward, his permanent sneer plastered on his face, eyes never leaving TJ¡¯s intense gaze. ¡°Why bother wasting time introducing ourselves to these rotten peasants?¡±

    Andras wagged a disapproving finger. ¡°Now, now, Otto, that would be ill-mannered.¡±

    TJ tapped his decagon with a smirk. ¡°Who are you calling a filthy peasant? Where I¡¯m from, we¡¯d kill a kobold for less. If I had my way, we¡¯d settle this the proper way¡ªwith a good ol'' mud-wrestling match. Grease up, throw down. First to squeal like a pig loses.¡±

    Otto blinked, clearly thrown off. ¡°That¡­sounds disgusting.¡± He grimaced and flicked a glance at Taz, who looked like she was ready to roll around in the dirt already. She had crouched down, feeling out the terrain, completely uninterested in the conversation.

    ¡°She looks happy as a pig in shite.¡± Dawn observed, sounding somewhat impressed.

    TJ didn¡¯t notice. His eyes were narrowed on Otto, knuckles tapping on his decagon like he was itching for a reason to knock the elf sideways. ¡°Think you¡¯re fast, Otto? I¡¯ll give you a head start, and I¡¯ll still catch up.¡±

    ¡°Action speaks louder than words.¡± Rose slammed her staff into the ground, a crack spreading through the dirt. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can actually back up all that talk.¡±

    Joe grinned, amused. It reminded him of how his granddad and he used to shut down the neighbor¡¯s endless yapping. Save your breath for cooling your porridge, he thought.

    Taz let dust fall from her thick hands and jumped to her feet with surprising finesse. She had the muscle of a tank and cracked her neck, sizing up Rose like she¡¯d only noticed her. "Keep yapping all you want, little slayers," she growled, punctuating her words by slamming her knuckles into her palm, eyes locking onto Joe like she was already digging his grave. ¡°But we¡¯re the storm, and there ain¡¯t no shelter from us.¡± Joe felt a chill as he noticed the way the green hoodie stretched over her stocky frame, her entire body coiled and ready to spring into action. Taz wasn¡¯t just a meat shield¡ªshe was a wrecking ball waiting for the right swing.

    ¡°Enough pleasantries. Let¡¯s get started, shall we?¡± Andras smiled, but his eyes were dead.

    Notifications filled Joe¡¯s vision.

    [All antes accepted from each ascender. Eighteen years have been placed in the battlebox pool. Place your bets.]

    [Battlebox bets are open: no-limit. ¡°All-in¡± allowed.]

    There was no way any of them could afford an ¡°all-in,¡± not even Andras¡¯ faction. Joe cast a quick glance at Dawn before placing the first bet.

    [Alert: Ascender 68 of Titan Slayers has placed a bet of 25 years.]

    [Alert: Ascender 243 of Andras Alliance has raised the bet to 50 years.]

    [Call or re-raise bet?]

    ¡°Call.¡± Joe narrowed his eyes at Andras.

    [All bets are in.]

    Johnny¡¯s tail curled between his legs. ¡°What if we lose? I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll be¡­gu-gu-gored.¡±

    Andras snorted and clapped the ratfolk hard on the back, sending him stumbling. ¡°We¡¯re NOT going to lose, you sniveling rat. I don¡¯t know what kind of circle you¡¯re in, but we¡¯re winners here. We don¡¯t talk like that.¡±

    Johnny held out a paw to Otto, hoping for help but the elf took a step back, like Johnny had the plague.

    As Johnny picked himself up, Joe caught the snickers from Fedelma and Taz. They muttered to each other, loud enough for Joe to overhear with his Quick Wit.

    "Geez, Johnny never stops whining." Taz scrunched her brows. "I almost hope we do lose so the fucker gets GORED."

    Fedelma smirked. "Yeah, Andras has our respawn tokens in safe keeping. Johnny should be more grateful¡ªhe can hardly look after himself."

    ¡°Simple-minded ratfolk.¡± Taz shook her head. "They barely remember anything more than their names from their past lives."

    Dawn shot Joe a look. ¡°You alright?¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve found their weakness. They¡¯re like a manufactured pop band that can¡¯t stand the sight of one another.¡±

    Dawn chuckled. ¡°Once we turn up the heat, they¡¯ll start tearing each other apart.¡±

    TJ nodded. ¡°Not like us. We¡¯re like family, right?¡± He gave Rose a playful nudge.

    Rose gave a tight smile, her expression darkening as if the idea of "family" wasn¡¯t the comfort TJ thought it would be.

    Joe, feeling the shift, quickly added, ¡°Not the dysfunctional kind. We¡¯ve got each other¡¯s backs.¡± He gestured for them to come closer.

    A sharp voice echoed across the arena as the battlebox announcement blared:

    [Battlebox challenge selected. One Round Objective: Three Minute Tally Rally. Knock as many orbs out of play as possible within the time limit. Each orb knocked out adds to the score. The team with the highest tally wins the prize pool. The prize is split evenly among faction members.]

    [Battle begins in five seconds.]

    Joe¡¯s spirits lifted as they all huddled together. ¡°Titan Slayers, let¡¯s go!¡±

    That moment was shattered by the Lich¡¯s voice, crackling over the arena speakers. ¡°Let¡¯s make things interesting. Since this is a sponsored battle, everyone in the tower can view what¡¯s going on. No time penalty for fights here. Have fun. I know I will.¡± The speaker cut off, but not before Joe heard his cackling laughter.

    Joe cringed, but a quick elbow from Dawn brought him back.

    [Time Remaining: 3¡¯ Prize Pool: 468 Years. Begin!]

    The timer ticked down. Everything seemed to slow for a second.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Across the arena, Andras and his team stood like smug statues, green hoodies zipped up tight, hands itching to put their orbs into play.

    Joe cast a quick glance at his own team. TJ was practically vibrating with impatience, his fists clenched and knuckles tapping his decagon like a drummer warming up for a solo. Dawn had fire in her eyes, already calculating her first move, while Rose stood quiet, calm, like the eye of a storm. Her orbs pulsed, softly shimmering, waiting.

    Andras stood there with his flute in hand, MadOrbz floating around him like planets orbiting a star.

    ¡°Give me the word, Joe, and I¡¯ll crack them wide open.¡± TJ¡¯s fingers twitched ready to grab his first orb.

    Joe raised a hand, holding him back for a second longer. ¡°Let''s see if they make the first move.¡± While they waited Joe called his five orbs to his deck, their cartoonish grins doing little to ease his tension as they bobbed in place. His plan was simple, but he knew Andras and his crew wouldn¡¯t stick to targeting their MadOrbz. Without a sanctioned fight tax, they¡¯d try to take each team member down.

    Letting TJ strike first could catch them off guard. But what¡¯s Andras hiding? Charging in might play right into their hands. But TJ was their heavy hitter, and waiting too long could waste their chance to land a solid blow.

    TJ¡¯s strength was in breaking through defenses, and if he could knock one of their key orbs out of play early, it¡¯d set the tone for the fight. If Andras has a trap set, we¡¯ll deal with it after we force him to show his strongest orbs.

    Joe nodded at TJ with a look that said, ¡®You know what to do.¡¯

    TJ grinned and flung his arm forward, launching Groundbreaker with a mighty swing.

    An otherworldly, yet familiar tune of We Will Rock You filtered through the air. The orb shot forward like a runaway boulder, tearing through the rugged terrain, kicking up dust in its wake. It rumbled, gaining speed, barreling toward the ratfolk.

    Johnny squealed, wide-eyed, and practically tripped over his own feet as he scrambled backward.

    Taz was already in motion. ¡°Mudslide, get that piece of shit!¡± Joe barely saw her move before her muddy orb shot out in a wide arc.

    Mud flicked as it spun at a rapid pace, garbling its voice, ¡°Time to toast the tides.¡±

    Mudslide didn¡¯t charge head-on like TJ¡¯s. It curved, slingshotting around the battlefield building speed. Every pass around the arena tightened its orbit, gaining momentum.

    Joe¡¯s eyebrows shot up. "Clever girl."

    With every pass, the muddy orb gained speed, a swirling mass of wet, heavy earth. It looped once, then again, tightening its orbit around Groundbreaker like a predator circling its prey.

    With a vicious slam, Mudslide crashed into Groundbreaker before it could reach Johnny.

    The ground shook as the muddy orb split TJ¡¯s attack with a violent shockwave, sending debris flying¡ªa wave of wet, heavy earth rolling over TJ¡¯s Groundbreaker. The ground rippled, the mud sucking in TJ¡¯s orb like quicksand, slowing it to a crawl before it sputtered to a stop, absorbed into the muck.

    ¡°What the hell¡ª?¡± TJ¡¯s eyes bulged. "No way my orb just got one-shotted by mud!"

    Taz cackled, scooping up a handful of gravel and popping it into her mouth like sunflower seeds. "Looks like your orb¡¯s got the shits, mate." She sneered, grinding the rocks between her teeth with a loud crunch.

    She raised her thick, muscled arm, and Mudslide rose from the ground, flying toward TJ like a missile, trailing mud in its wake. He ducked in time as it whizzed over his head, barely missing him by a whisker.

    TJ barely had time to curse Taz¡¯s ancestors before Fedelma threw her own orb into play. A metal guitar riff echoed along with the catchphrase, ¡°I am the devourer. I eat your pain.¡±

    The flaming skull roared to life, speeding toward them, its eyes burning with malice. The air sizzled as it streaked forward, its bony jaw unhinging wide, ready to consume.

    Andras didn¡¯t miss a beat, playing a quick tune on his flute, and the skull doubled in size, the fire intensifying until the air surrounding it scorched the few plants on the rough terrain.

    Dawn¡¯s eyes blazed as TJ¡¯s downed Groundbreaker was swallowed whole by the flaming skull. A notification flickered in Joe¡¯s vision:

    [Tally: 1 for Andras Alliance. 0 for Titan Slayers. Time: 2¡¯ 52¡±]

    ¡°Bravo, dahling,¡± Otto cooed, bowing with an obnoxious flourish, his hand sweeping dramatically through the air.

    Fedelma waved him off, her eyes fixed on TJ, relishing in his boiling rage. ¡°Ya talk big, human, but it¡¯s yer balls that just got flambeed!¡± Her black tongue snaked out, licking a clawed finger before she tipped her head, wiggling her scaly butt and mimicking a sizzling sound. ¡°I¡¯m hot stuff, boulder brains! You can¡¯t handle me.¡±

    ¡°Hell no, you didn¡¯t!¡± Dawn lunged forward, her orb lighting up in her hand like a second sun. ¡°No one insults TJ but me.¡± She locked eyes with Fedelma. "Inferno Edge!" The flames of her orb ignited as she wound her arm back. ¡°Time to fight fire with fire!¡±

    Fedelma sneered, her kobold fangs gleaming. ¡°Think you can match my fire? You¡¯re nothing but a cheap spark.¡±

    The intense heat radiated off Dawn¡¯s orb as it shot out, a blazing red-orange streak through the air. It met Fedelma¡¯s Devourer head-on, the two orbs slamming together in a burst of flames that lit up the entire battlebox arena, sparks flying in all directions.

    Another notification flashed:

    [Tally: 2 for Andras Alliance. 0 for Titan Slayers. Time: 2¡¯47¡±]

    Joe dismissed the notification. His team¡¯s orbs were getting taken down fast. He glanced at Andras whistling a tune as his Zephyr floated around one of Otto¡¯s orbs. They seemed to work in tandem as if they were waltzing to an unheard rhythm.

    ¡°Time to break up their first dance.¡±

    Ready to make his move, Joe scanned the arena and activated Quick Wit for the optimal route. Joe paused, holding the earth affinity MadOrbz, Clod Zinger, that TJ had loaned him. The orange hooded ratfolk was pressed against the wall.

    Johnny had quietly launched his first orb. It seemed weak, barely noticeable, a pale, unassuming little thing.

    ¡°Sniffer¡¯s so bland, Johnny.¡± Fedelma rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Like his personality.¡± Otto snickered, glancing at Andras like a dog waiting for a pat on the head.

    Joe¡¯s brain fired faster as he zeroed in on the orb. At first, it seemed aimless, like a confused dragonfly zipping through the arena, weaving between rocks and orbs with no real purpose. But then it clicked. Its movements were too precise, too calculated. Sniffer wasn¡¯t attacking¡ªit was watching. Gathering intel. Andras gave Johnny a subtle nod, and Joe¡¯s gut twisted.

    ¡°That thing¡¯s a little snitch.¡± Joe gestured to the simple orb. ¡°Johnny¡¯s Sniffer is gathering data on us. It¡¯s feeding back everything¡ªour orb positions, our attacks. No wonder they¡¯re so coordinated.¡±

    Within seconds, TJ¡¯s and Dawn¡¯s newly launched orbs were downed by Zephyr and Otto¡¯s wind orb. The tally reached four, favoring Andras Alliance.

    Andras¡¯ smirk infuriated Joe as his teams¡¯ MadOrbz moved with eerie precision, almost as if he could read the Titan Slayers¡¯ minds. Each move they made, Andras countered, positioning his team like a puppet master pulling the strings. The Titan Slayers were losing ground, and fast.

    Joe¡¯s orbs orbited him like loyal soldiers, ready to jump into action, but he needed to keep them in reserve for now. He flicked a glance at Dawn. She was already one step ahead, her eyes locked onto the Sniffer darting through the battlefield.

    ¡°I¡¯ll deal with it.¡± She summoned her new combo orb. The blue light pulsed in her hand, crackling with energy as she aimed to hijack the ratfolk¡¯s sneaky advantage.

    ¡°I¡¯m ¡®a snatchbox yer snake, yer never gonna see me coming.¡± Snatch shot forward like a streak of lightning, catching Sniffer mid-flight.

    For a split second, there was a bright connection, and Dawn¡¯s face lit up with a fierce grin.

    Joe¡¯s breath hitched. They had the rat now. But before he could fully celebrate, Fedelma¡¯s Devourer swung back around, knocking Dawn¡¯s orb out before she could fully pull off the snatch. ¡°What the¡­it¡¯s play time is one minute.¡± Her orb fizzled back to her decagon, and Fedelma let out a cackling laugh.

    [Tally: 5 for Andras Alliance. 0 for Titan Slayers. Time: 2¡¯31¡±]

    ¡°Better luck next time, doll!¡± Fedelma taunted.

    Dawn¡¯s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her next orb. ¡°Keep yapping. You¡¯ll be tripping over your own tongue soon enough.¡±

    [Withholding Penalty: Ascender 18. Consequence: MadOrbz Combustion.]

    Joe¡¯s body stiffened as he glanced at the orbs floating, waiting for one to explode. He jumped to the side as his decagon shook and slammed back against his leg. Searching the windows, two MadOrbz clinked against the glass, while snot slid down the inside. Slimer was gone.

    ¡°Ugh, withholding penalty knocking down my ascender rank.¡± Rose shrugged. ¡°But one year¡¯s not so bad.¡±

    Joe winced. ¡°I don¡¯t recommend doing it again. I lost a MadOrbz.¡± He leveled Andras with a glare, knowing the penalty was inevitable, but hoping it was going to be worth it.

    "Rose, it¡¯s your time to shine." He nodded toward Johnny¡¯s Sniffer orb. "You''ve got thirty seconds to get rid of their intel gatherer, then take out anyone else in your way."

    She stepped forward with a confident sway, twirling her staff like a baton as her orbs swirled around her in perfect harmony. Planting her staff in the ground, she spun, her raven hair following.

    Haunting, sweet notes like a twisted church organ filled the air, accompanied by the faint, sickly scent of something sweet rotting. It was like a funeral march in motion. Rose waltzed, extending her free arm as the shadowy tendrils of her Necrosis orb glided from her palm.

    "Oh my! Decay looks absolutely fabulous on you!" the orb purred out its catchphrase. The orb moved through the air with eerie grace, shadowy tendrils ghosting out as if it had all the time in the world.

    Andras¡¯ small grin disappeared, his eyes narrowing.

    Sniffer zipped, fleeing and giving Necrosis a wide berth every time it came near.

    Andras whispered something to Taz, who huffed with a begrudging nod.

    ¡°That sneaky fucker¡¯s a coward too." TJ growled. "Can¡¯t you get in closer? Want me to knock him into your path with Stonefist?"

    Rose¡¯s lips curved up in a wry smile. "No need. Necrosis is better than the Grim Reaper¡ªno physical touch of death required."

    Joe breathed easier knowing Necrosis had an AoE, but it was clear Johnny¡¯s Sniffer knew that, too.

    Taz threw her next orb, and it wailed out a tune: "I¡¯m not crying, it¡¯s just dust in my eye!" A thick plume of dust clouded the battlefield, obscuring Sniffer from view, but Rose kept her eyes focused. Necrosis glided forward.

    The storm of dust made it hard for Rose to get a clean shot. Sniffer zipped behind Taz¡¯s protective wall, and it was clear they were trying to force Rose to back off.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get too close!¡± Joe twisted the cord of his hoodie. ¡°You¡¯ll get caught in the dust storm!¡±

    Rose gripped her staff tighter, her smile darkening. Black tendrils began to seep from Necrosis, spreading across the battlefield like death¡¯s fingers reaching out for prey. The cloud of darkness moved closer to Taz¡¯s Dust Cloud, not needing direct contact. Necrosis¡¯ area of effect would reach further than Sniffer could dodge forever.

    But Johnny¡¯s Sniffer darted and weaved with pinpoint accuracy, always staying just out of range.

    Joe muttered under his breath, ¡°He knows the exact AoE¡ªJohnny¡¯s using all the intel that his orb retrieved.¡±

    Taz, however, wasn¡¯t as lucky. She stood firm in the middle of the battlefield, unaware that Necrosis didn¡¯t need to directly hit her orb. The dark tendrils slithered beneath the swirling dust, creeping toward Taz¡¯s defense.

    At first, the signs were subtle. A faint sheen started to coat the edges of Taz¡¯s Dust Cloud orb, unnoticed by the dwarf.

    Necrosis spread its deathly touch. Tiny fractures began appearing on the cloudy surface, spiderwebbing like cracks in old pottery. The once-imposing dust cloud began to slow, its power weakening under Necrosis'' grip.

    Taz grinned, unaware of the danger. ¡°That all you got?¡± She flexed, preparing to send Dust Cloud spinning outward again. But as she moved, the cracks in her orb widened, and Dust Cloud shriveled, its life force drained by Necrosis.

    A sickening crunch echoed across the arena as Dust Cloud withered into nothing but a faint puff of dust, scattered by the wind.

    [Tally: 5 for Andras Alliance. 1 for Titan Slayers. Time: 2¡¯06¡±]

    ¡°Got her.¡± Rose¡¯s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

    Joe grinned. ¡°Nice work, Rose! She didn¡¯t see it coming.¡± Now was his chance to add his own attack. With his combo orb Grumble Guts active, Joe hurled both Clod Zinger and Riptide Randy to target Sniffer. The earth affinity-based Clod Zinger cost him more mana as a prime tier, but its ability to auto-target an orb was worth it. He only needed Randy to get close enough to swap Johnny¡¯s orb out for a weaker one.

    Sniffer, sensing the danger, zipped away in time, but the damage from Necrosis had been done. Taz¡¯s defense was gone, and Rose had cleared the path for the next Titan Slayer attack. Joe leapt as Clod threw baseball sized dirt into Sniffer, downing it in time to be flanked by Randy.

    ¡°Nice shot!¡± TJ yelled from behind.

    ¡°Thanks to your loaner.¡± Joe glanced over his shoulder at TJ who grinned, his eyes locked on Fedlema¡¯s smoking orb. With a whoosh, his combo orb looped through the air, landing a direct hit. Black earth rained down and pelted Taz and Fedelma¡¯s active orb.

    [Tally: 5 for Andras Alliance. 4 for Titan Slayers. Time: 1¡¯59¡±]

    ¡°That¡¯s our best orbs. I¡¯ll kill him with my bare hands.¡± Taz growled, stepping toward TJ. Her fists clenched, ready to snap him in half.

    Andras sighed, raising a hand like he was bored. ¡°You¡¯ll do no such thing. I need all hands on deck.¡±

    ¡°Lich said we can attack them directly¡ªno penalties. They can¡¯t win if I break their arms off!¡± Taz shoved Andras¡¯ arm away, her eyes locked on TJ with a murderous gleam. ¡°An eye for an eye, human.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to do it hands-free,¡± Andras said coolly, as if her rage was mildly annoying. ¡°Your love for petty revenge could cost us this match, and I won¡¯t tolerate that.¡±

    Something in his tone made her pause, even though she clearly wanted to rip TJ apart. She bowed her head, but Joe could see her hands moving, pulling something from her inventory.

    A bone-white whistle.

    Andras gave a nod. ¡°Go ahead, Taz. Let¡¯s see if your new toy can fetch.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach flipped. ¡°Great. That can¡¯t be good.¡± Time ticked down on Clod Zinger and Riptide Randy, but he readied them for her next attack.

    Taz grinned wide, putting the whistle to her lips. The eerie, hollow sound echoed through the arena like something out of a horror movie, sending a shiver up Joe¡¯s spine. The ground near her rippled with shadows, and from the darkness, a pair of glowing red eyes appeared. A massive wolf-like creature stepped forward, its matted fur dripping with black ichor. The beast growled, vibrating the ground beneath their feet.

    ¡°A nightmare with fur.¡± Joe twisted the cord on his hood as he glanced at his orbs floating around him. He surveyed the arena and withdrew his butterfly knives. Taz¡¯s summoned beast wouldn¡¯t be affected by their MadOrbz, but they still had to win the battlebox challenge.

    The wolf locked eyes with him and bared its teeth. Dawn¡¯s gaze remained focused on her attack orb as it raced around the arena from three MadOrbz.

    Joe clenched his jaw. ¡°Stay in the battle. We need more points. I¡¯ll keep Taz and her summoned wolf occupied.¡± He crouched low, meeting its eyes and tossed a handful of smoke pellets before pivoting his position amongst the haze.

 ATC 2 Ch. 4: Rally or Ruin

    Joe, shadow stepping through the smoke, skidded into the arena¡¯s wall as he dodged the beast. The wolf pricked his ears back, unfazed as Joe nailed him between the eyes with a lava stone.

    ¡°Oh, come on.¡± Joe groaned. Of course it all made sense. Taz¡¯s race was earth aligned, and if her race was dwarf, then that earth affinity would strengthen her summons. ¡°It¡¯s an earth-aligned wolf!¡±

    TJ¡¯s body twisted as he relaunched his combo orb. ¡°I can drop my orbs to pound that beast.¡±

    ¡°No. Get Otto¡¯s orb, it¡¯s cursing Dawn¡¯s with a debuff.¡± Rose stepped forward, spinning her staff with deadly grace. ¡°I¡¯ll slow it down. My Necrosis orb timed out.¡± Water shot from her staff, slickening the ground beneath the beast. The wolf skidded, its claws scrambling to stay upright against the wet earth. Rose flicked her wrist, and bloodthorn vines shot out, wrapping around the wolf¡¯s legs and yanking them out from underneath.

    The creature hit the ground with a heavy thud, but one of Rose¡¯s bloodthorns snapped, leaving her holding a broken vine.

    ¡°Otto cursed my orb¨Cit¡¯s attacking itself.¡± TJ growled. ¡°Just let me at it!¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°No. If we retaliate, we¡¯ll get pulled into a physical brawl and lose the match. You¡¯ve got a barrier¡ªneuter this thing!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll take time to set up! That thing will tear you apart in the meantime¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just do it. I¡¯ll handle him.¡± Joe pulled out his butterfly knife, twirling it with a quick flick of his wrist. TJ hesitated but nodded, tossing his little kobold totems to the ground like a bucket of plastic soldiers.

    The wolf¡¯s glowing eyes tracked the knife in Joe¡¯s hand. With a snarl, the beast lunged. Joe threw the blade¡ªit pinged off the wolf¡¯s rocky hide, as expected.

    ¡°Just perfect.¡± Joe backed up, defenseless.

    Rose and Dawn raised their weapons, but Joe waved them off, gesturing toward Andras and his crew. ¡°Focus! They¡¯re setting up their next move!¡±

    Sure enough, Andras had two orbs floating around him again¡ªHuff-a-Puff and Zephyr¡ªwhile Otto and Fedelma were readying their own attacks.

    But Joe could be distracting too.

    His pack of seaweed crinkled as he opened it. The wolf''s ears bent forward as he took a bite, watching TJ and Dawn launch another set of orbs.

    The wolf loomed closer, its hot breath blasting through his clothes. The beast¡¯s rocky hide was cracked from the earlier hits, but it seemed more pissed than weakened. Joe¡¯s back hit something solid¡ªa boulder.

    Nowhere to go.

    He tossed the package to the side, a fullness of pressure against his arms made him hesitate. There¡¯d be no way he could outrun this beast.

    The wolf growled, lowering itself into a crouch, ready to pounce.

    Joe glanced at the ground, eyes locking on a broken bloodthorn. He grabbed it, holding it up like some kind of half-assed weapon. ¡°Fetch!¡± He hurled it straight at the wolf¡¯s face.

    The wolf¡¯s head jerked to the side when the thorn bounced off its snout.

    Joe activated Quick Wit.

    The wolf snapped back, snarling as it lunged. Joe barely ducked in time, the beast¡¯s claws tearing into the dirt where he¡¯d been standing a second ago. His heart pounded as he twisted, ducking and diving, each movement barely keeping him out of the wolf''s monstrous reach.

    A notification blinked in his vision, but he shoved it aside.

    Suddenly, a sharp tug from behind spun the wolf around. Dawn, hands glowing bright with flame, had grabbed its tail in a two-handed hold, scorching the fur. The beast hesitated, torn between its prey and the new burning threat. Its ears flicked back, and its growl deepened.

    Joe didn¡¯t waste the chance. He dove to the side, rolling out from under the creature as it stalked toward Dawn.

    ¡°Barrier¡¯s almost up!¡± TJ¡¯s totem array pulsed green.Stolen novel; please report.

    Rose seized the moment. She spun her staff again, and a rush of water blasted the wolf, sending it tumbling past Dawn. The beast skidded to a stop, shaking off the water and lunged again¡ªonly to slam headfirst into TJ¡¯s barrier.

    Joe stood, breathless, and checked his notifications.

    [Level gained! You have reached Quantum Resonance Level 21, Silver Rank Ascender.]

    [Quick Wit Level 4! You have received an ability: Glitch Flick - Boosts dexterity and precision, enabling swift object manipulation.]

    [Sailor Man Temporary Buff +10 Strength.]

    Silver Rank, Finally! He flexed his arms and grinned. ¡°Thanks for the level up, Andras.¡±

    The wolf snarled, snapping its jaws in frustration, but TJ¡¯s barrier held firm. Joe couldn¡¯t help but shoot a look at Taz, who was now struggling to regain control of her summon.

    Dawn¡¯s hands burst into flames, her eyes blazing hot. She launched a wave of scorching fire toward the wolf. It hit the beast full force, engulfing it in flames. When the smoke cleared, the wolf lay sputtering in black heap.

    TJ leapt, his machete slicing through its weakened hide. The summoned wolf puffed into a cloud of ash.

    Dawn smirked, her flames still dancing on her fingers. ¡°Looks like you really screwed the pooch there, Taz.¡±

    With increased strength, Joe launched Aqua Shot at Andras¡¯ Huff-a-Puff. Even with Andras¡¯ boost from his flute, the force of Aqua Shot was unmatched. For every attack there was a counter attack. Taz¡¯s two earth orbs crashed into Aqua Shot as though Andras had merely baited him.

    Every sound around Joe muffled into one ringing sensation. His vision blurred, and he no longer heard the announcer tallying their scores. A quick check of his stats confirmed his suspicion. His mana had dropped dangerously low between using Quick Wit and driving his orbs¡¯ attacks. He popped a pellet from his tin, refocusing on the others as he waited for his mana to regen. With as much MadOrbz action between every ascender, the final tally could go either way.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to ice Otto¡¯s balls.¡± Rose launched an orb over Joe¡¯s head, cold white drops splashed onto his face, the liquid landed on his tongue.

    ¡°Sweet cream?¡± He shuddered, uncertain whether he should be grossed out or not as the orb trailed the soft serve cream behind it.

    ¡°Vanilla ice.¡± Rose flashed a grin. She cut the air with her staff, her orb swirling around Otto¡¯s Cursed Breath orb faster than a cotton candy machine. Cursed Breath turned blue and dropped like baseball sized hail, shattering to the ground.

    Otto looked drained, pale faced with sweat drenched hair, from navigating his Prime tier MadOrbz, but Johnny¡¯s orb had a mana boost effect on the summoners within a five meter range.

    Within the area of effect, Dawn received enough mana to summon her last orb. ¡°Saved the best for last. TJ get ready to throw down!¡±

    The Get Out of Jail orb slammed into one of the windows of TJ¡¯s decagon, phasing in and out with his Knucklegrinder before it disappeared. TJ¡¯s hands clasped around the orb as he locked his gaze onto Fedelma¡¯s orb, black metal extruding from its ashy surface. Winding his arm, TJ threw the orb and Knucklegrinder slammed into Hot Ash, its fire poker splitting in two.

    Sweat dripped down their faces. Minutes seemed like hours in the battlebox. Once they¡¯d put the wolf out of play, their MadOrbz moves synced with Dawn and TJ as their primary damage dealers. With Otto and Johnny¡¯s orbs taken out by Rose, Joe made Andras choke on smoke pellets, making him wish he¡¯d never brought out that flute. He was certain he¡¯d heard the Lich laugh.

    The bard heaved, waving Johnny away from him.

    [Time¡¯s Up! Final Tally Rally Tally: 10 for Andras Alliance. 12 for Titan Slayers. Battlebox Challenge is awarded to the Titan Slayers. Prize pool is split. All faction members receive 117 years. Mana Bonus: 100.]

    TJ slapped a hand on Joe¡¯s back. ¡°I liked the way you used Clod Zinger. He uses too much mana for me, go ahead and keep that MadOrbz.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡± Like a breath of fresh air, Joe¡¯s mana regenerated to his max capacity. He glanced at Andras¡¯ faction, drenched in sweat they chugged potion bottles instead of puffing eternity sticks. Joe shook his head as he was about to call him out, but Johnny¡¯s paled face as he dropped to his knees stopped him.

    ¡°My time¡­¡± Johnny patted his pockets, his orange hoodie fading to red. ¡°Puh, please, loan me some.¡±

    Andras leaned toward him, placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°If I do it for you, then everybody would expect it, and I can¡¯t have that.¡±

    ¡°No, no¡­I¡¯ve got¡ª¡± Johnny couldn¡¯t finish before his hoodie changed from red to the dull gray.

    Dawn gasped.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you help him?¡± Joe rushed toward Andras. ¡°He¡¯s a member of your faction. Even with a loss, you had plenty of time to spare.¡±

    Andras turned away.

    Joe rushed toward Johnny and grabbed his paw. He activated a trade window to send time credits.

    [Access Denied.]

    A GORED notification blinked above Johnny¡¯s head. Joe called to Dawn, ¡°We can bring him back using ECHOs.¡±

    Dawn nodded. She placed her hands on Johnny¡¯s shoulders to get his full attention. ¡°Repeat after me, Trade System ECHOs Open.¡±

    ¡°Trade System ECHOs Open.¡± Johnny blinked, permanent fear scarring his paled expression.

    [Voice Command Not Recognized.]

    ¡°We¡¯ve got the time to cover penalties.¡± Joe swallowed hard as he shared a quick glance at Dawn.

    ¡°Try again!¡±

    ¡°Trade System ECHOs Open.¡± Johnny¡¯s lip quivered. ¡°It¡¯ll never work for a ratfolk like me.¡±

    ¡°Nerus, for the love of all rats, help him.¡± Dawn dropped to her knees.

    Joe leaned back, almost surprised at how polite she was, but maybe it was for Johnny¡¯s sake.

    Any hope that Joe had for poor Johnny, died when her face turned grim.

    Dawn shook her head. ¡°Nerus is unable to intervene when an ascender is bankrupt morally or otherwise. And before you ask, no I can¡¯t tell you why.¡±

 ATC 2 Ch. 5: Two-Sided Coin

    Joe forced a smile. It sharpened the dull throb blooming behind his eyes, but he ignored it. It was easier than suppressing the sickening guilt gnawing at him over Johnny.

    Dawn¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, her words from earlier replaying like a lifeline: "I¡¯ve got a pin drop on Nick¡¯s location¡ªit¡¯s a red shirt near a couple of orange ascenders. He¡¯s got to be fine, Joe. He¡¯ll make it."

    Her reassurance had been meant to calm him, but it hadn¡¯t helped much. Like Johnny, the image of Brian¡ª vulnerable at such a low QRL¡ªlingered like a bad aftertaste. Joe knew better than to believe anyone in this tower was truly safe. Not anymore.

    As he stepped into the orange zone common room, Dawn whipped her head around, her worried look cluing TJ and Rose to his return. There were plenty of free booths, but they hung around like a LAN party waiting for the last guy to log in. All of them were on edge, especially TJ, his aura enough to make other ascenders give them a wide berth on their way to the food and drink station.

    ¡°Cheer up, chump. Your smile¡¯s tighter than a bard¡¯s pants after buffet day,¡± Halcyon snarked, his voice a smug whisper in Joe¡¯s mind.

    Joe hesitated at the entrance, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Not now, Halcyon.¡± He bit back a more caustic reply. He sensed the ghost dragon that had hijacked his soul was trying to lighten the mood.

    ¡°Gah, stop with the pity party. No one forced Johnny to join Andras in the battlebox. The rat let himself get charmed because he was desperate for security. There are no saviors in this tower, that includes you. I thought I¡¯d gotten through that thick skull of yours¡ªno matter what world you¡¯re in, chump¡­You. Cannot. Save. Everyone¡­¡±

    Joe swallowed hard, grief rising like a wave, his sister¡¯s face flashing in his mind. But the weight of it wasn¡¯t just his. Halcyon¡¯s raw emotion had bled through, thinly veiled in his words. The barrier between them was shrinking, and Joe couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwhat would happen when it completely disappeared? The irony wasn¡¯t lost on him; Halcyon was just as hungry for control.

    Fear and frustration bubbled to the surface, his vision going white-hot as he stomped his foot. ¡°Don¡¯t lecture me, you hypocrite!¡±

    Realizing he had an audience, Joe quickly rolled his shoulders back, forcing his tight smile into a cocky, shit-eating grin. He took a deep breath, like he was about to dive into an abyss, and stepped into the room.

    Dawn didn¡¯t waste a second, slinging her arm around him and pulling him close. She urgently whispered in his ear. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna ask if you¡¯re okay ¡®cause I can see you¡¯re not, and I don¡¯t want some canned bullshit response to make me feel better. We all feel like shit about Johnny, but beating ourselves up about it here won¡¯t help.¡±

    For a moment, Joe let the tension melt, softening into the warmth of her embrace. But he pulled back quicker than he¡¯d like, feeling the weight of everyone¡¯s eyes on him.

    ¡°Eh...thanks for the concern, but I¡¯m fine.¡± The lie rolled off his tongue with ease.

    Rose raised an eyebrow, while TJ leaned in, beckoning Joe closer. ¡°A wise bard from my world used to say ¡®fine¡¯ is short for ¡®Fucked up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional.¡¯ So yeah, you¡¯re not fooling me, mate.¡±

    Joe narrowed his eyes. Did bards travel between worlds? He was sure he¡¯d heard that line before, but there was no time to dwell on it now, not with the blinking message from the Time Hacker sitting at the edge of his vision.

    ¡°Not me.¡± He adjusted his backpack. ¡°And I think we¡¯ve got bigger fish to fry.¡± He shot TJ a meaningful look. The last thing he wanted was pity over Johnny. If the Time Hacker puts his plan in motion before Brian catches up¡­ nope, not going there. He¡¯ll be fine.

    Doh!

    Joe pulled up the alliance party chat, encrypted using quantum threads so only his party and those in alliance could access it.

    Joe: Hey Brian, what¡¯s your monster kill count?

    TJ: Anything less than 10 and I¡¯ll be disappointed.

    Rose shot Dawn an astonished look, mouthing the word virus. Joe knew they were both rereading the Time Hacker¡¯s warning. His jaw clenched as he switched his attention between the room and the chat, waiting for Brian¡¯s response. Why the silence? Dread twisted in his gut.

    Joe: Hey Nick, Luna. You guys good?

    No reply.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like this.¡± Joe tugged on a cord of his hoodie. ¡°We should get out there, back on Floor 4.¡±

    Dawn tossed him a mana pellet¡ªone of Brian¡¯s concoctions that tasted like a cross between battery acid and a Fisherman¡¯s Friend lozenge. ¡°Not so fast. You look like death warmed up. When was the last time you slept or ate?¡±

    Joe shrugged.

    TJ jumped in, trying to keep it light. ¡°Brian¡¯s too busy hacking monsters to check his messages. Nick and Luna? They¡¯re like a mommy bird, mushing up monsters into paste to feed Brian for the final kill. They¡¯ve got their hands full.¡±

    Dawn nudged Joe. ¡°Let¡¯s figure out what game the Time Hacker¡¯s playing.¡±

    A message flashed in the chat.

    Poke_Master: I don¡¯t play games¡ªthat¡¯s the Lich¡¯s ideal hobby, not mine.

    Dawn: We know the Lich is a scum villain, but the jury¡¯s still out on you. How do we know you¡¯re not just using us to get to him? I¡¯ve seen it before in my homeland¡ªit caused a civil war. Is that what you want, chaos inside this tower?

    Poke_Master: I want freedom, like everyone else. As long as the Lich holds power, that¡¯s impossible. He sits on a throne of lies. The price of freedom is bloodshed, and I won¡¯t guarantee it won¡¯t be yours. Everyone¡¯s fate is their own¡ªwhat you do with the information I give is up to you.

    Dawn¡¯s face hardened, her eyes narrowing.

    Dawn: I¡¯ve lived long enough to know that men who claim to fight for freedom often leave ruin in their wake. I value truth like the rare gem it is. But you¡ªare you giving us a grain of truth wrapped in false promises? Or do you think we¡¯re too blind to see the price you¡¯re so quick to make us pay?

    Joe backed her up.

    Joe: You want trust? Show us more of your cards, and we¡¯ll decide if the price is worth paying.

    A pause. Then the Time Hacker responded.

    Poke_Master: You may question why I do what I do. Some might see it as evil, but that¡¯s the limited view of mortals.

    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Joe raised an eyebrow.

    Joe: What? You¡¯ve lived a long time, then?

    The familiar heat of Halcyon¡¯s presence bubbled in his chest. His voice slipped into his thoughts. ¡°He¡¯s not as old as me,¡± Halcyon sneered. ¡°Twisting information to his advantage. Ask him again¡ªabout the Touch of Madness.¡±

    Joe steadied his breath.

    Joe: You¡¯ve shown you can hack the system¡ªthe hollow cams. Were you behind the Touch of Madness?

    The pause stretched, giving Joe a sense of what was coming next.

    Poke_Master: What if I was? What difference would it make? Save one versus save many. If you had someone you cared about, and the only way to save them was to release a plague on others, would you?

    Joe¡¯s throat tightened.

    Joe: No. I wouldn¡¯t.

    Poke_Master: Really? If you were trapped in a quarantine zone about to be destroyed, you wouldn¡¯t try to escape with your loved ones, even if it meant risking the spread of disease?

    Joe¡¯s mind raced. Every zombie movie ever. The part where someone breaks quarantine to save their family and, in doing so, dooms the rest of the world. Except this wasn¡¯t a movie. If it was real, if it was someone he cared about... What would he do?

    His silence gave the Time Hacker more room to push.

    Poke_Master: This isn¡¯t a movie, Joe. It¡¯s reality. And reality doesn¡¯t care about your morals. It demands sacrifice.

    Halcyon¡¯s laugh echoed with bitterness. ¡°See how he dances around the truth? Playing you like a fiddle. Don¡¯t let him throw that ¡°greater good¡± garbage at you like it¡¯s some noble high ground.¡±

    Joe clenched his fists.

    Joe: I get the stakes. But spreading madness to take down the Lich? That¡¯s not saving anyone¡ªthat¡¯s destruction. There¡¯s always another way.

    Poke_Master: What if I told you it wasn¡¯t just me? What if others had a hand in it? What if the Lich was involved, too?

    Joe shot a glance at Dawn, gauging her reaction.

    Dawn¡¯s gaze was steady.

    Dawn: You¡¯re twisting this to suit your own agenda. So tell me¡ªdid you release the Touch of Madness? Or is this just another manipulation? It¡¯s about control, isn¡¯t it? Deciding who lives and who dies.

    Rose crossed her arms before jumping into the chat.

    Rose: Who in their right mind would release a plague that guarantees death like that? And what¡¯s worse¡ªwhat if the cure¡¯s more horrific than the disease?¡±

    Poke_Master: You should know better than to fool yourselves about what it takes to survive here. By the time you reach the top of this tower, you¡¯ll have climbed over a pile of bodies. If you can¡¯t cross a line, you may as well give up now and let the rising tide of mana take you.

    TJ shook his head, disgusted.

    TJ: You sound like the Lich¡ªtwo sides of the same rotten coin.

    Halcyon stirred again, his presence flickering in Joe¡¯s thoughts. ¡°No. More like Brothers in arms¡­only to find themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield.¡±

    A ripple of something like anger flickered in Joe¡¯s chest. Why was Halcyon so riled?

    Poke_Master: I never claimed to be good or evil. Only that I¡¯m necessary.

    Dawn sighed, her frustration spilling over.

    Dawn: This is how it starts. Good people justifying ¡®necessary¡¯ actions, until they¡¯ve crossed so many lines they don¡¯t even know where they stand anymore. One sacrifice turns into ten, then a hundred. Next thing you know, you¡¯re no better than the ones you¡¯re fighting. That¡¯s how dictators justify tyranny¡ªby claiming bloodshed is the only way forward. But we still have a choice.

    TJ crossed his arms.

    TJ: A choice? Against enemies who¡¯ll kill us without hesitation? We don¡¯t have the luxury of playing it safe. Every time we hesitate, we¡¯re putting ourselves in danger.

    Joe stood back to let an ascender with a large tray filled with food and drinks pass. The savory smell of jerky reminded his stomach of how hungry he was. With a quick nod to the food and drinks station he signaled to his friends he was heading over there. He kept an eye on the chat as he walked.

    Joe: We can play smart without turning into bloodthirsty fiends. We¡¯ve already used our brains when we made our deal with you, Time Hacker. We both need each other. So in a way, your fate¡¯s in our hands, too.

    Poke_Master: Time will tell. I won¡¯t forget our arrangement. I¡¯m not your enemy. When the tower falls, you¡¯ll all understand.

    Joe rubbed his temples, trying to ease the pounding in his head. What if we¡¯re just walking into a bigger trap? Taking down one tyrant only to crown another?

    He grabbed a tray and filled it with snacks and drinks for his group. With a grateful nod they all helped themselves when he returned. He paced with his drink while the others took a seat in a free booth.

    Minutes passed without any new messages from the Time Hacker, leaving Joe uneasy. How much could he trust him? He glanced back at the Titan Slayers. TJ''s scrunched face meant he was likely still grumbling about the messages, caught in a heated argument with Dawn.

    Joe drained the last of his lemonade, the sourness matching his mood. He leaned back against the pulsing wall, listening to the chatter of the other groups around him.

    "Where is the Lich? Why didn¡¯t he step in when that mouthy horn blasted for an uprising?" A grumpy guy shoved his hands in his pockets.

    A dwarf shook his head, scratching his tangled beard. ¡°He¡¯s too busy hiding his phylactery, I reckon.¡±

    A kobold nearby slammed his fists together, like a boxer psyching up before a match. ¡°Is he even real? None of us have ever seen him face-to-face. Probably some little piss-ant kid playing at being a grown-up inside necro-daddy¡¯s tower.¡±

    The dwarf chuckled, his beard catching on his shoulder as he looked around. ¡°Yah! I call bullshit too. Like is it really that dangerous outside the tower? I¡¯d dig my way out with a spoon if I had enough time.¡±

    The kobold grabbed a wet tea-spoon from the dwarf¡¯s bowl and gave it to him. They both laughed.

    The thin man beside him shrugged, glancing down at his feet, his voice softening. ¡°We all felt his presence through the screen, though. I nearly shat myself¡ªthe power from those hollowed eyes was...intense.¡±

    The kobold smacked the thin guy¡¯s back with a laugh, nearly sending him stumbling. ¡°Yeah, you insulted his manhood. Never do that, even when they¡¯re dead.¡±

    The grumpy guy glared. He dug his hands so deep in his pockets they were about to bust through. ¡°Joke all you want, but you can¡¯t tell me you wouldn¡¯t march to the Lich Master¡¯s tune if it meant getting out of here.¡±

    Joe took a deep breath, surveying the restless crowd. Ascenders argued over the Lich¡¯s tyranny¡ªsome defended him, driven by dreams of reaching the top; others were stirred up by the Bruiser Battalion¡¯s message, ready to fight back. Tension rippled through the room, rising faster than the mana tides.

    Taking a seat at the Titan Slayers booth, Joe spotted Rose dismissively waving. ¡°Byyyyeee, Felicia!¡±

    He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as a copper-scaled kobold turned around, her face flushed with anger. ¡°My name is Fedelma!¡±

    Taz tugged the kobold¡¯s hood, dragging her toward the floor exit.

    Upon rejoining them, Joe gave Rose a questioning look. ¡°What was that all about?¡±

    Rose shrugged, a smirk playing on her lips. ¡°Just some sore losers. Turns out Andras and Otto are still lapping it up in the green zone, and those two are real bitter about it all.¡±

    TJ and Dawn seemed to have cooled off from their argument. TJ let out a laugh. ¡°Well, you know what they say¡ªevery party¡¯s got to have a couple of losers who drink all the mana and complain too much.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s gaze settled on Joe. ¡°Did you get some rest?¡±

    Joe patted his belly, trying to keep the mood light. ¡°Enough to perk up my spirits.¡± He hesitated, not wanting to bring up the unresolved issue with the blue flame or the Time Hacker. ¡°Still no word from Brian.¡±

    TJ shook his head, a casual smile on his face. ¡°He hasn¡¯t respawned back to the common room. He¡¯s probably fine¡ªeveryone¡¯s having a grand time spilling blood.¡±

    Dawn flicked TJ¡¯s ear.

    ¡°Ow!¡± He winced, rubbing the sore spot.

    She tilted her head toward Joe, her expression serious. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t see him respawn. We¡¯ve moved up a zone. Unless he found time crystals, he¡¯s still stuck in the red zone until we transfer the winnings.¡±

    Joe¡¯s pulse quickened at the thought¡ªBrian was red-zoned and still at a low QRL. He squared his shoulders. ¡°There¡¯s no point in waiting. Let¡¯s help them take down some monsters.¡±

    A message flashed in his vision, the alliance chat lighting up with a new notification.

    Nick: Brian¡¯s fine. It¡¯s Luna¡ªshe¡¯s missing.

 ATC 2 Ch. 6: Half-eaten, Half-dead, All Deadly

    The first thing to hit Joe was the smell. It reminded him of those seaside trips with granddad and Emma¡ªthe salty air, the hint of seaweed. There was something oddly comforting in that. Standing still, his boots sank into the sugar sand, nudging him to move.

    He looked both ways.

    The white beach endlessly stretched, and before them, a rolling green ocean framed by an impossibly blue sky. It was like stepping into a painting.

    Gulls, with wild yellow eyes, wheeled overhead, screeching like harpies. TJ already had his machete in hand, eyeing the birds like they were next on the menu. So far, the flying pests were keeping their distance.

    That was fine by Joe.

    Activating Quick Wit, Joe scanned the area. In the distance, a few dots moved about¡ªascenders and parties exploring like them.

    Rose planted her staff in the sand and gave it a little twirl, sending a refreshing mist their way. It wasn¡¯t as bad as the jungle humidity, though. The lemon-yellow sun hung in the sky, giving off plenty of heat.

    Rose sighed, gazing out at the ocean, her green eyes reflecting the endless waves. ¡°I¡¯m so tempted to take off my boots. I always loved the feeling of warm sand between my toes.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d give my right arm to go skinny dipping right now.¡± TJ adjusted his waistband. ¡°These pants are starting to chafe my ass. Times like this, I miss my tough kobold scales.¡±

    Rose clapped her hands together, grinning. ¡°Skinny dipping sounds fun. We should reward ourselves after we kill the boss on this level. It¡¯d help wash off all the grime too.¡±

    Dawn shot him a dark look. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it a reward if TJ keeps Mr. Happy in his pants. No need to assault our eyes with that.¡±

    ¡°Beauty¡¯s in the eye of the beholder, Dawn.¡± Rose winked.

    ¡°Then you need glasses. And a new brain if you think swimming in a tower made from monster parts is safe.¡± Dawn pointed to a crooked, weather-worn sign post a little farther up the beach. ¡°I compared Nick''s last known location pin drop to the map.¡± She began stomping through the soft sand. Her boots sank with each step, making her stride almost comical.

    ¡°Come on.¡± Joe hid his grin. ¡°When we leave this tower, you can find somewhere safe to skinny dip to your heart¡¯s content.¡± He motioned for the others to follow, his amusement barely contained as he trudged after her.

    Dawn stopped by the crooked sign and straightened it with a huff, planting her hands on her hips as she waited for the others. TJ was the last to catch up, his heavy footsteps driving deep craters into the sand.

    On the post, large arrows pointed in opposite directions. Joe read the signs aloud. "Craggy Bottom this way, Red Bamboo Lagoon that way."

    ¡°Point me to the boss and let''s go kick some ass.¡± TJ grinned, spinning his machete and whipping up the fine sand.

    Dawn waved the haze away, lips pressed tight. ¡°Have you forgotten about Brian?¡±

    TJ shrugged. ¡°Nah, I figured he¡¯s making his way there with Nick and Luna¡¯s help.¡±

    ¡°Nick said Luna was missing.¡± Dawn frowned. ¡°Forget about killing the boss until we find Brian and the others. The map shows red and green dots in Craggy Bottom, but the area around Red Bamboo Lagoon looks¡­murky. No sign of the boss there.¡±

    Joe leaned against the post. ¡°Let¡¯s follow their last pin drop and see where it leads.¡± The cooling mist Rose had summoned helped, but walking along a sun-drenched beach in clothes made for winter wasn¡¯t exactly ideal.

    Above them, the seagulls fell silent. The breeze stopped. The hair on the back of Joe¡¯s neck stood up, his instincts flaring. For a split second, he half-expected the tide to vanish, like the calm before a tsunami. But the sea remained peaceful.

    Something else caught his attention¡ªa small dot on the golden horizon, like a smudge on the vibrant watercolor canvas.

    With Quick Wit active, Joe could see what the others couldn¡¯t. His long, focused stare made Dawn frown in curiosity.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    The dot grew bigger, frighteningly fast. That could only mean one thing¡ªsomething was hurtling toward them at terrifying speed.

    Joe¡¯s heart jumped. ¡°Something¡¯s coming¡­fast.¡±

    A booming voice, sounding like it belonged to a kraken gargling mouthwash, blasted through the air: ¡°INCOMING!¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes remained locked onto the dot as it morphed into a red blur streaking toward them.

    A sound followed¡ªfaint at first, a high-pitched ¡°Sreeeeeeek!¡±

    Joe¡¯s Quick Wit kicked in, and he dashed towards TJ, who was already scrambling to move, his feet sinking into the treacherous sand. The harder TJ fought, the worse it got. Even to Joe¡¯s enhanced vision, the thing was still just a blur.

    ¡°Duck and roll!¡± Joe shouted as the piercing cry turned into a deafening ¡°SSSREEEAAACK!!¡±

    But it was too late.

    The red blur slammed into TJ¡¯s head with a loud thwack, bouncing off and leaving a smoking crater in the sand. TJ sprawled out like a starfish, mouth wide open in shock.

    Joe and Dawn were at his side in an instant, with Rose not far behind.

    TJ blinked, his senses coming back as he rubbed the growing lump on his head.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move, you could have a concussion.¡± Dawn placed a firm hand on his shoulder. For once, TJ didn¡¯t argue. His gaze, along with Joe¡¯s, drifted to the crater about five paces away.

    ¡°What just hit me? A meteor?¡± TJ groaned.

    Joe stepped over to the edge of the crater, jaw dropping as he peered down. At the bottom was a twitching mess¡ªspindly legs as long as his own, attached to a jagged shell. The smell of fish guts hit him hard, making him gag.

    ¡°What is it?¡± TJ called from behind.

    Joe swallowed back the bile. ¡°Looks like a monster spider crab.¡± He¡¯d seen enough of them on aquarium trips to recognize the prickly limbs. But this one was missing half its body, a gaping, oozing wound still sizzling and turning the sand to glass.

    The realization hit hard. ¡°Damn thing got eaten¡­by something bigger.¡±

    TJ staggered to his feet, wobbling but curious, and placed a hand on Joe¡¯s shoulder as he leaned in. ¡°Looks tasty.¡± He reached out toward the twitching crab.

    Dawn slapped his hand away with a death glare. ¡°Touch it, genius, and we¡¯ll see what else it¡¯s blood melts besides the sand.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the saying ''raining cats and dogs,'' but flying crabs? That¡¯s a first.¡± Rose stared out to sea with a frown. ¡°Whatever tossed that half-chewed crab at us is still out there.¡±

    Joe took a cautious step back as the spider crab screeched and spat furious bubbles, dragging its broken, battered limbs out of the crater, clearly still in the mood to fight.

    TJ spun his machete in one hand, muscles flexing as he drove the blade right between the crab¡¯s beady eyes. The machete sank into the chitin shell with a satisfying crack. He pulled it free with a grunt, but the blade sizzled and smoked, crab blood traveling up the length of the machete like acid.

    ¡°Son of a butt-nugget!¡± TJ cursed, shaking the blade, and Rose quickly doused it with a spray of water from her staff.

    By the time it was clean, TJ was still cursing up a storm, holding up the pockmarked machete. ¡°If I could kill that damn crab again I would. BK deserves better than this!¡±

    Dawn nudged the crab¡¯s body with her boot. ¡°Be glad it wasn¡¯t your face.¡± She flipped it over to examine the bite marks. ¡°You can always use time currency to upgrade BK.¡±

    "What are you talking about? I didn''t see that on my interface and Poppy never mentioned it."

    Dawn shrugged. "Maybe it''s only accessible in the green zone then."

    Rose ran a finger along one of the blood rose thorns of her staff. "That''s how I got an extra protectant coat on Gravenwood before I joined your faction. But I haven''t tried to upgrade it since..." She shrugged, cutting herself off with a quick glance toward Joe.

    Everyone knew not much effort had been focused on rising to the green zone when Brian had been GORED. They truly were a team.

    Kicking the crab, Dawn broke the silence. "I¡¯d be more concerned with whatever monster gnawed on that bloody crab and flung it far enough to reach us on shore.¡±

    ¡°Was it that thing that shouted ''Incoming!'' in a voice like someone gargling gravel?¡± TJ wiped his machete dry. ¡°If it wanted us dead, why warn us?¡±

    Joe shrugged. ¡°Maybe we were in the wrong place at the wrong time.¡±

    ¡°Not me.¡± TJ grinned, patting his chest. ¡°Got a sweet upgrade on my Defensive Weave. Chitin armor stat boost. Fifteen percent resistance, baby!¡±

    The crab¡¯s body disintegrated into rainbow haze, leaving behind a small red core in the crater. Dawn gestured towards it. ¡°That¡¯s yours too, TJ. But keep your head on a swivel. My map¡¯s lit up with activity from the sea. No skinny-dipping if you value your life.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep Quick Wit active.¡± Joe nodded. ¡°And I¡¯ve got mana pellets if I need to recharge. Let¡¯s focus on finding Brian and Nick.¡±

    TJ downed a healing potion and lumbered forward, his massive frame slowed by the shifting sugar sand beneath his feet.

    They walked for about an hour before hitting a rocky outcrop that blocked their path stretching out to the sea. Waves crashed against the jagged barrier in rhythmic splashes, taunting them like a siren song.

    ¡°We can either climb over or walk around it.¡± Joe scanned the rocks with a frown. ¡°Neither option looks fun.¡±

    Dawn checked her map. ¡°It¡¯s about as high as a seven-foot wall. I say we climb over¡ªno signs of any threats on land.¡±

    ¡°What about the water?¡± Rose extended her staff toward the distant waves.

    ¡°Nothing close by.¡± Dawn shrugged.

    ¡°I could put up a water shield.¡± Rose raised her staff. ¡°Hold the tide back while we walk around.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°If something¡¯s lurking in the water, it¡¯ll burst through that shield like it¡¯s paper. I¡¯m not getting dragged off by some overgrown tentacle monster.¡±

    ¡°Great.¡± TJ cracked his knuckles. ¡°Climbing it is.¡±

    Joe led the way, hopping from rock to rock, trying not to slip on the gull droppings splattered everywhere. ¡°Whatever these gulls are eating, it¡¯s a miracle it hasn¡¯t killed them. The stench alone could kill a person.¡±

    Reaching the far side, the beach stretched further, scattered with moving rocks. Joe activated Quick Wit, eyes widened at the monsters crawling across the sands towards one point.

    ¡°Brian and Nick. They¡¯re swamped.¡± Joe pointed towards where the sand dune met the rocks.

    TJ tensed, ready to dash in, but Joe threw out an arm to stop him. Beneath his feet, the sand gave a faint but unsettling shudder, almost like something shifting deep below. Wet and compact, the sand seemed stable enough¡ªbut Joe¡¯s instincts screamed otherwise.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°What the hell, man?¡± TJ yanked his arm free.

    Joe pointed to the pitted holes in the ground, then picked up a smooth rock and punted it toward the pockmarked sand. The ground exploded. A snake-like creature shot up, curling around the stone and snapping it in half before retreating beneath the surface.

    Dawn grimaced, stepping back. ¡°So ugly, it makes a Graboid look cuddly.¡±

    Joe¡¯s brain kicked into high gear as he scanned for a safe path to Brian, who was busy fending off half-dead crabs and humanoid jellyfish straight out of a comic book.

    Joe scanned the area for a safe path. ¡°We need to stay off the compact sand. Follow me, step exactly where I step, or we¡¯ll be worm chow.¡±

    He leapt to a patch of dry, loose sand. The others followed, bounding between rocks and safe spots until they were within reach of Brian and Nick. That¡¯s when the worm struck¡ªits tongue shooting out, coiling around Dawn¡¯s ankle like a fleshy whip.

    TJ grabbed her by the waist, yanking her back to the rock just before she could be dragged under. Joe sliced through the tongue with his butterfly knife, the severed piece writhing like a dying eel. Dawn grabbed it, flung it in her inventory, and winked at Joe.

    ¡°What are you gonna do with that?¡± Joe wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to know, thankful she didn¡¯t respond.

    As they got closer, Brian caught their eye as he drove his boot into the gut of a jellyfish creature¡ªa wobbling, half-human blob that looked like someone had set a melted mannequin on fire and tried to put it out with seawater. Its stomach burst in a revolting splash of goo, and Brian¡¯s boot sank deeper into the mess, as though the thing were trying to drag him down into its gelatinous depths.

    The goo splattered across Nick¡¯s back. He barely noticed as he sliced open a smaller jelly monster lunging at him.

    With a grunt, Brian leaned forward, body-slamming the blob and pinning it down with both hands.

    Nick pursed his lips in a low whistle, and, amazingly, one of the half-dead crabs responded, reviving with a twitch before bounding over. With a quick hand signal, Nick sent it forward like an attack hound. The crab lunged at the jelly monster, spiny legs puncturing the gooey flesh. Acidic blood poured over the writhing blob, melting it into a puddle of sludge.

    Seeing Brian was in need of aid, Nick grabbed the crab. He spun it around and launched it at Brian¡¯s creature. The big guy ducked as the crab slammed into the blob gripping his boot, splattering acidic blood that dissolved the thing into a slimy puddle, finally freeing Brian¡¯s leg.

    Joe and the others jumped into the melee, clearing out the surge of monsters. When the last creature dropped, Joe took a breath, wiping monster goo from his cheek, feeling the post-battle buzz settling in. That¡¯s when Halcyon¡¯s voice sounded in his head, laced with irritation.

    ¡°I suppose congratulations are in order, but don¡¯t go getting ideas of grandeur, chump.¡± Joe could practically feel Halcyon rolling his eyes. ¡°A few more leagues before you¡¯re anywhere close to the rank I had back in my prime. And you¡¯d think these monster cores would have at least a hint of fire essence, but no¡ªwater essence everywhere. Delightful.¡±

    Ignoring the snarky dragon¡¯s antics, Joe pulled up his notification. Sure enough, there it was:

    [Congratulations Ascender 50 you have reached Silver Rank Quantum Resonance Level 23.]

    The silvery glow of the notification felt damn good, even with Halcyon¡¯s snarky commentary.

    ¡°How about rejoining the orange hoodies?¡± With his trade window open, Joe extended his hand toward Brian, as he dodged the splattered jellyfish goo on the red hoodie.

    ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡± Brian inhaled, rubbing his orange hoodie. His triumphant grin was wide enough to put the sun to shame, and Joe couldn¡¯t help but grin back.

    ¡°Glad you made it.¡± Brian scuffed his boots against a rock, to dislodge a stubborn glob of goo. The stuff clung tighter than a bad haircut.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world!¡± TJ hollered back with a grin. ¡°Can¡¯t let you hog all the fun and loot. We¡¯ve got levels to gain too, right?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your level now?¡± Brian¡¯s eyes gleamed with the challenge.

    TJ flashed a smug grin. ¡°QRL 25. How¡¯d you do?¡±

    Brian puffed out his chest. ¡°Monster kill count is thirty-seven, thanks to Nick and Luna. Got a bonus for fastest kill streak on floor four.¡±

    ¡°Nice! It¡¯s no picnic out here. One almost got me.¡± TJ rubbed the back of his head.

    Brian¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Consider yourself lucky. It¡¯s a nasty way to go.¡± His tone suggested he knew from experience.

    TJ shook it off. ¡°Yeah, flying crabs... half-eaten, half-dead, all deadly.¡± He delivered it like the tagline to some cheesy B-movie.

    Plan 9 from Crab Space.

    Joe chuckled, but Nick was still scanning the horizon. ¡°I don¡¯t know who¡ªor what¡ªflung them, but whatever you do, don¡¯t catch crabs.¡± He didn¡¯t break his stare from the sea.

    Brian nodded. ¡°After I from...melting, Luna took off to figure out where they came from.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a curious one,¡± Rose said, a touch of admiration in her voice.

    ¡°Curiosity killed the cat,¡± Dawn cut in, clearly less impressed than Rose.

    ¡°Yeah, but information brought him back,¡± Rose teased, though Dawn¡¯s look warned her against any philosophical debates on Schr?dinger¡¯s cat.

    Before things could spiral down that path, Joe kicked a broken crab leg¡ªa trail of acid sizzling against the sand. ¡°So, what makes you think Luna¡¯s missing?¡±

    Nick¡¯s face dropped, guilt written all over it. ¡°We should¡¯ve stuck together. Luna promised she¡¯d be quick¡ªthirty minutes of scouting, no more, no less. My map had her tagged since we¡¯re in the same party, but now the tag¡¯s just... gone.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You can tag people? I didn¡¯t know that.¡±

    Nick shrugged. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a ranger skill I unlocked at Silver Rank QRL 30. You¡¯re a paladin, right? Maybe yours will be something related to your god?¡±

    ¡°Wish I was that level already,¡± Dawn grumbled, crossing her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t like being at the mercy of a god.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be.¡± Brian twisted the gem on his storage ring. ¡°I¡¯ve got most of the ingredients for a pill I¡¯ve been working on. It helps with leveling up when you¡¯re right on the threshold of one level to the next. Not something I¡¯d recommend before QRL 10, though. Got to build that solid foundation first¡ªbest way is still fighting monsters.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a breakthrough pill.¡± Joe thought of those cultivation novels. ¡°What¡¯s missing?¡±

    Brian tugged at his goatee, his eyes distant. ¡°Something from the Red Bamboo Lagoon.¡±

    TJ clapped a hand on Brian¡¯s back. ¡°I¡¯ll slash up a few monsters along the way there.¡±

    ¡°That is if we go there first.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes glossed over as she checked her map. ¡°Looks like nobody¡¯s fought the titan yet. Ascenders are swarming to the Red Bamboo Lagoon, but there¡¯s no titan there. Yet, they¡¯re dying. That gives us even more reason to go toward the Craggy Bottom¡ªwe can get the loot from the titan.¡±

    ¡°No titan in the lagoon, why are they dying?¡± Joe nicked the end of his hoodie cord with the blade of his knife.

    Dawn shrugged, her gaze shifting toward Joe. ¡°Nothing is on the map, not even hollows.¡±

    ¡°Incoming!¡± Nick raised his handax.

    TJ leapt, the glint of his machete disappearing as he slashed the half dead crab. ¡°Nock it Brian.¡±

    Crab legs scattered through the air and Brian released a bolt, it cracked, splitting the crab shell in half. He sighed. ¡°Thanks TJ. One more level and I¡¯ll hit QRL 21.¡±

    ¡°Nice hit.¡± Luna appeared from behind the brush, her clothes soaked.

    Nick narrowed his eyes. ¡°What happened? Thought we lost you.¡±

    ¡°It took me a while to find my way back through this overgrowth, but thanks to Lucky¡­¡± She gestured over her shoulder as the little ratfolk bobbed his head out from behind her, wearing a shy grin.

    ¡°Ah, geesh, it was nothing.¡± He bowed, removing his jaunty little hat, revealing tufts of gray on his crown.

    ¡°Nice hat, Lucky!¡± TJ patted his shoulder. ¡°How much time did that thing set you back?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s whole face lit up, practically beaming as he smoothed down his wiry gray tufts. ¡°You like it? Made it myself with horsehoof mushrooms from the jungle on floor two.¡± He plopped the mushroom cap back on, proudly tipping his head. It hit Joe just how much older Lucky looked since he¡¯d last seen him. As a ratfolk with a twenty-year life expectancy, every respawn aged Lucky fast. Meanwhile, Andras the dark elf, with his three-hundred-year span, could respawn a hundred times and barely look a day older.

    ¡°That¡¯s one fancy hat, Lucky.¡± Joe eyed the cap. ¡°Thought we hadn¡¯t seen you around because you were off risking your life doing Andras¡¯ grunt work.¡±

    Lucky shrugged, the corners of his mouth twitching with a shy grin. ¡°I like being helpful.¡±

    Dawn scoffed, crossing her arms. ¡°You can be helpful without throwing yourself into the grinder. Andras has way more respawns than you. How many lives have you burned through, anyway?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s brow creased as he looked off, like he hadn¡¯t even considered it. ¡°Huh¡­ you know, I¡¯m not sure. Been so busy fetching time crystals and running errands I never thought to check.¡±

    Joe tilted his head, giving him a look. ¡°That¡¯s not like you, Lucky. I thought you were the cautious type, always counting every little thing. Or have you forgotten that?¡±

    Lucky scratched his chin, looking puzzled. ¡°I said that?¡± He laughed, but it sounded nervous. ¡°Been so wrapped up helping out, I don¡¯t even think about the risks anymore. Like when I saw Luna was lost¡ªI knew I could help her find you, even without map access.¡±

    Luna¡¯s face softened, a sad smile creeping in as she ran a hand down her braid. ¡°Lucky, you¡¯re amazing. I wish you¡¯d just ditch that miserable excuse of an elf and join us.¡±

    TJ jabbed his thumb into Lucky¡¯s arm. ¡°Check how many respawns you¡¯ve got left.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s eyes glazed over, and he gave a little shiver. ¡°That¡¯s¡­strange. It¡¯s not showing up. Maybe I gave access to Andras? He¡¯s been minding my token.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s using it. Just like he¡¯s using you, Lucky. Andras only looks out for number one, and he¡¯s got you wrapped around his finger. Think back to your last life¡ªwere you this trusting? Letting people take advantage of your kindness?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitched, and he chewed his lip, clearly unsettled.

    Joe felt a pang of guilt for laying it out so bluntly, but he needed to plant the seed. Ratfolk in this tower, the ones assigned by the Lich, had this foggy past-life recall. Halcyon had once told Joe it was thanks to him that Joe remembered so much of his own past. But also, certain objects could help anchor those memories, like the picture of Ryan¡¯s wife.

    Joe softened his tone. ¡°Hey, didn¡¯t mean to be harsh, Lucky. You got anything in your inventory from your past life?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s shoulders sagged, and he shrugged as he checked. ¡°Only stuff I picked up here. All related to the druid class.¡±

    ¡°Back in induction, we all got to choose three items to bring with us, remember?¡±

    Lucky looked blank, a slow shake of his head confirming he didn¡¯t.

    What the hell was going on here?

    Lucky¡¯s tail curled between his legs. ¡°I don¡¯t remember who I was before. All I know is my name¡­Lucky.¡± His voice was thin, the look in his eyes growing more distressed by the second.

    ¡°You got to mind yourself, Lucky.¡± Dawn¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Isn¡¯t there anyone who can join you on these scouting missions? I¡¯d say message us, but, well, communications are offline whenever our factions are hostile.¡±

    Joe¡¯s gaze shifted to the ground, knowing full well who Andras hung out with. Otto, Taz, and the now outcast Fedelma were all self-serving murderhobos, and from the way Fedelma had treated Johnny in the battlebox, she clearly despised ratfolk. Joe doubted any of them would care enough to keep Lucky safe.

    ¡°Want me to talk to Andras?¡± Joe rested a hand on Lucky¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Maybe get him to hand back your respawn token. You could join up with us, then.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s eyes bulged, and he waved his hands in a frenzy. ¡°No, no, that¡¯s why I made this hat! Everyone¡¯s busy, and I don¡¯t wanna be a burden. Once this hat¡¯s on, I¡¯m protected from rot, poison, and toxins. Perfect for corrupted zones, and it calms nearby monsters when I combine it with my monster-tamer skill. It releases spores, and they last in a radius of¡­¡± He shrugged. ¡°Well, some feet, I reckon.¡±

    TJ leaned over to Joe, lowering his voice. ¡°The way he''s panicking, it''s as if you asked to insert a coconut up his ass.¡±

    Brian leaned down. ¡°No doubt about it, Andras has a hold over Lucky.¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Seems a bit risky, having to get that close to the monsters for it to work. So, this calming effect¡ªactive or passive?¡±

    Lucky scratched his head, looking uncertain. ¡°I, uh¡­don¡¯t really know.¡±

    The whole setup reminded him of Pac-Man munching power pellets but with a trippy, psilocybin twist. He couldn¡¯t say he was entirely convinced, and judging by the others¡¯ faces, neither were they.

    Luna, though, put an arm around Lucky¡¯s shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. ¡°It works, I¡¯m telling you. Lucky saved my bacon. I decided to swim there to find out who was lobbing those crabs, and it was the meanest-looking octopus thug I¡¯ve ever seen. Tentacled brute wasn¡¯t alone, either.¡±

    Lucky nodded, his cheeks puffing up like a hamster as he took a dramatic breath. ¡°Yeah, he keeps some nasty company. We got ambushed and had to stay beneath the waves, stirring up silt on the ocean floor with my tail just to lose them.¡±

    Luna chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°Lucky¡¯s great at finding things, but he¡¯s even better at losing things that need to be lost¡ªlike those toothpick fish that were chasing us. And that octopus? Punched grouper fish and blue goatfish to get them to chase us.¡±

    ¡°Toothpick fish are the worst.¡± Lucky shivered. ¡°Death by one of those little monsters is painful enough. But if they get in your, uh waterworks¡­well, let¡¯s just say they¡¯re impossible to remove. Worst pain I¡¯ve ever felt.¡±

    TJ grimaced, while Rose didn¡¯t hide her concern. ¡°If that¡¯s how you died, Lucky, you might want to rethink the name.¡±

    Joe leaned in. ¡°Look, I know rats are decent swimmers, but how¡¯d you manage not to drown in all that?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s eyes lit up, pride flooding his face. ¡°As a druid, I got a spell called Sandy Cheeks. Earth-aligned, naturally. I just suck in a big old mouthful of sand, pack it in my cheeks, and it kicks in. It lets me hold my breath for a good ten minutes, no sweat. Plus, it keeps any nasties from sneaking in.¡± He tapped his cheeks with a grin. ¡°Ain¡¯t no water beastie getting past these Sandy Cheeks!¡±

    Nick exhaled, visibly relieved. ¡°Glad you both made it back in one piece. So, it was the octopus chucking half-eaten crabs at us?¡±

    Luna nodded, her tone growing serious. ¡°Weirdest thing. Before they spotted us, I saw the octopus and his fishy pals hunting spider crabs. He¡¯d tear into them like he was starving, but every single time he¡¯d spit them out, then rise to the surface and fling them toward the shore. Must not want the poisoned blood killing off his fish hunters.¡±

    Joe scratched his head, trying to put it all together. ¡°So, we¡¯ve got a crab-chucking octopus with a mean streak and a gang of aquatic thugs. And somehow, Lucky here¡¯s the only one who managed to get out of this whole thing in one piece.¡±

    TJ clapped Lucky on the back with a laugh. ¡°Well, brother, let¡¯s hope those Sandy Cheeks keep you safe. Something tells me that octopus won¡¯t be thrilled about us poking around his turf.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thrilled we¡¯re all back together, but no one is getting off this floor if we don¡¯t move.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes glazed over. ¡°No change in the map¡­people dying both directions. My vote is slay the titan.¡±

    Rose shook her head. ¡°We don¡¯t want our names plastered on the wall of fame any more. I say let someone else claim that fame and we gather loot.¡±

    Brian nodded. ¡°I need to collect ingredients at the Red Bamboo Lagoon. Plus, there might be something growing there we could use to help Ryan.¡±

    Lucky shook his head, his whiskers twitching. ¡°Nothing¡¯s going to help Ryan,...at least not this floor.¡±

    Swinging his machete, TJ grinned. ¡°Then, I¡¯m with Dawn, let¡¯s ditch this floor fast.¡±

    Joe rubbed his temples as the group argued in the background. ¡°Poppy, tell me there¡¯s something better than flipping a coin for this floor.¡±

    ¡°Yip-yip!¡± The kaiju¡¯s avatar pranced across his vision. ¡°This floor special: kill titan or finish puzzle. Your choice, Joe. You like puzzles¡ªcomplete it and you open door.¡±

    He sighed. Poppy¡¯s advice didn¡¯t add much into the mix of suggestions, especially since she loved puzzles so much. As much as he hated being a mediator, he knew he had to take control or someone else from Andras¡¯ faction would take more than what they needed.

 ATC 2 Ch. 7: Loot-Loot

    Joe stood still for a moment, letting his feet sink into the sand as the tide crept closer. The others didn¡¯t notice; they were too busy arguing over whether to face the titan in Craggy Bottom or brave the unknown depths of Red Bamboo Lagoon.

    Luna crossed her arms, glancing at Nick. ¡°I¡¯m with TJ and Dawn. Let¡¯s find the titan, smash it, grab whatever it drops, and get back to Gaia and Ryan. Grizzle will cure what ails him. Heading to the lagoon sounds like a big fat waste of time.¡±

    Nick took a swig from his flask, clearly unconvinced but keeping his mouth shut.

    ¡°With the titan we know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± TJ¡¯s eyes swept over the group with an exasperated look. ¡°Big monster, time crystal loot. Simple.¡±

    ¡°Better the devil you know.¡± Dawn hopped on one foot to shake sand out of her boot. She scowled when more spilled into the other and muttered something about hating beaches.

    Brian shook his head, undeterred. ¡°I disagree. Red Bamboo Lagoon¡¯s hidden on Dawn¡¯s map for a reason. There has to be rare loot there, waiting for us to pick it up.¡±

    Dawn squinted at him like he¡¯d just suggested juggling flaming swords. ¡°And probably some nasty traps. And I hate traps even more than beaches.¡± She stomped back into her boot and started shaking sand from the other one.

    Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitched with excitement. ¡°Exploring a hidden lagoon sounds much more like an adventure. Besides, puzzles aren¡¯t as deadly as scary titans.¡±

    Nick, finally, spoke up. ¡°We¡¯re not at full strength. The lagoon¡¯s risky, but the titan¡­ We¡¯d be going in shorthanded. Maybe splitting up gets us out of this faster¡ªor at least makes sure we don¡¯t miss out on both.¡±

    Joe caught the flicker of hesitation in Nick¡¯s eyes¡ªthe guy didn¡¯t want to split up any more than he did. He was laying it out for Luna, forcing her to think it through. Without Grizzle¡¯s healing, Gaia¡¯s system knowledge, or Ryan¡¯s backup, fighting the titan on this floor wasn¡¯t going to be as predictable as she thought.

    Luna looked at Nick like he¡¯d lost his mind. ¡°Are you kidding? Just the two of us against a titan? We need at least some of the Titan Slayers with us.¡±

    Joe resisted the urge to sigh. Splitting the group was the last thing he wanted. They all looked at Rose as she ran her fingers over the knotted bark of her staff. ¡°Why not do both? If we focus, we could take down the titan first and still have time to handle the lagoon.¡±

    ¡°Because splitting focus means splitting resources.¡± Dawn tied her bootlace with a final yank. ¡°If we take too long on one, we risk losing out on both. That¡¯s Tower 101.¡±

    ¡°And we don¡¯t know what¡¯s waiting for us in either place.¡± Brian stroked his goatee. ¡°If we burn through stamina and potions on the titan, there¡¯s no guarantee we¡¯ll have enough left to solve the puzzle¡ªor survive whatever¡¯s guarding it.¡±

    Rose frowned, clearly not thrilled with the pushback, but she nodded. ¡°Fair point.¡±

    Joe took a step back from the shoreline, letting the cool foam brush his boots. The bickering had gone on long enough¡ªit was time to bring them together. He cleared his throat, cutting through the noise. ¡°Alright, listen up. We don¡¯t need to take down every single titan ourselves¡­¡± He let that sink in, smiling as a few heads turned toward him, eyes wide like he¡¯d suggested they all break out into song.

    ¡°Let me finish before you keel over. As long as the faction that takes out the titan isn¡¯t Andras and his crew, we¡¯re golden.¡±

    Poppy¡¯s avatar pranced into his vision, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Yip-yip! Good plan, Joe! Puzzle way more fun and rewarding!¡±

    Joe grinned. ¡°Exactly. And if Andras¡¯ faction tries anything, we¡¯ll figure out how to keep them busy.¡±

    Dawn nodded, puffing her cheeks as if considering his suggestion. ¡°So we head to the lagoon, grab whatever loot¡¯s there¡­and let someone else deal with the titan. But who?¡±

    ¡°The Bruiser Battalion.¡± Joe didn''t miss a beat.

    Rose¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Ooh! They¡¯re amazing! They¡¯ll wipe the floor with Andras!¡±

    TJ raised an eyebrow. ¡°You really think they can handle it?¡±

    Joe nodded. ¡°Fast, vicious, smart¡ªthat¡¯s a winning combo. I¡¯ll message KT and see if she¡¯s game.¡±

    He''d barely sent the message when a reply notification popped up in his vision from KT herself.

    KT: Already on it. Titan¡¯s on our to-do list, right after we deal with a few jelly monsters and the poor fools still thinking Andras is worth their time.

    Joe: Music to my ears. We¡¯ll let you know what we find after the lagoon puzzle.

    KT: Appreciate it. Too many factions are ¡®friendly¡¯ until they¡¯re not. Nice to know we¡¯re on the same side.

    TJ: Bunch of two-faced, shit-talking liars, that¡¯s what they are. Not us.

    Joe: Good luck, not that you¡¯ll need it.

    The chat filled with shamrock and hug emojis. TJ stared at the notifications, shaking his head. ¡°Who sends hugs before a death match? Psychopaths, that¡¯s who.¡±

    Rose shrugged. ¡°Psychopaths come in all flavors, TJ. Some send hug emojis; some throw tantrums about them.¡±

    TJ scowled, jaw working like he was chewing on her words. Before he could fire back, Brian raised a hand. ¡°Alright, kiddos, let¡¯s move on. We¡¯ve got bigger problems than who likes hugs.¡±

    Joe rubbed his hands together and set off toward the sandbar, following the sign to Red Bamboo Lagoon. Everyone was still buzzing about the loot waiting there, but he tuned them out, focusing on Poppy, his tiny, eager puzzle expert.

    ¡°What can you tell me about Red Bamboo Lagoon?¡± He glanced at the avatar who stopped swishing her tail in his vision.

    Poppy hesitated, her little form trembling as if she¡¯d been caught with secrets. ¡°Not supposed to say¡­¡±

    ¡°What if you go incognito?¡± Joe tipped his head, miming a fedora like Poppy¡¯s favorite disguise.

    Her eyes bulged with delight, and she spun into a pixelated blur, reappearing with a tiny fedora perched on her head. ¡°Good idea, Joe! Still got to be careful, though. Poppy not like cheating. The puzzle isn¡¯t the lagoon itself¡ªit¡¯s how you reach it.¡± She spun in place, emphasizing her words. ¡°Expect death and¡­respawn.¡± Her expression grew serious for a moment before she disappeared.

    Joe frowned, processing that. Respawning was no picnic, and if they had to start from the common room, it would be a brutal time sink.

    ¡°Hey, Poppy,¡± he slowed his pace, ¡°if we die on the way to the lagoon, do we get the option to respawn right there, like in a boss fight?¡±

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    Poppy reappeared, eyes darting in every direction looking genuinely frazzled. ¡°Something strange, Poppy doesn¡¯t like it. You should respawn with your party or in the common room. But¡­other ascenders report¡­ problems.¡±

    ¡°A glitch?¡± Joe didn¡¯t like the sound of this.

    ¡°Maybe. Poppy will go check. Be careful, Joe. Don¡¯t risk respawn!¡± Before he could follow up, she vanished.

    Joe relayed the warning to the group, and Dawn¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Great. A pile of ¡®rare loot¡¯ isn¡¯t worth squat if we can¡¯t even reach it. If something sounds too good to be true¡­¡±

    Brian raised a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions. We gather as much info as we can before we dive in headfirst.¡±

    ¡°Where the heck do we get this info?¡± TJ swung his machete.

    Brian pointed to a group of ascenders gathered near the end of the sandbar, all caught up in a heated argument. ¡°We listen.¡±

    As they neared, Joe caught snippets of the argument, loud enough to echo off the water. A mix of dwarfs, kobolds, ratfolk, and one very unfortunate-looking changeling were locked in a heated squabble at the edge of the sandbar.

    ¡°It¡¯s a fookin¡¯ joke!¡± one dwarf barked, his fists clenched. ¡°Magic fizzled out! The runes block everything. How the hell¡¯re we supposed to make it to the lagoon?¡±

    ¡°Oh, quit whinin¡¯,¡± snickered a ratfolk, whiskers twitching. ¡°Maybe you should¡¯ve learned to swim, huh? Your magic can¡¯t do everything for ya.¡±

    The changeling¡ªwho looked halfway between a human and Cthulhu¡¯s distant cousin¡ªscowled, his face a mix of tentacles, gills, and what Joe guessed was supposed to be a nose. ¡°You think this is what I wanted?¡± He gestured at his awkward, half-transformed state, tentacles flopping around like a dying octopus. ¡°I was mid-transformation when the rune hit me! Now I¡¯m stuck like this, mana depleted and out of luck!¡±

    A kobold cackled, crossing his scaly arms. ¡°A level twenty changeling should be able to do better than¡­whatever this is. A halfway calamari?¡±

    The changeling¡¯s blobby eyes narrowed. ¡°Maybe if the runes hadn¡¯t yanked my mana dry and turned me into a seafood platter, I¡¯d look normal! I¡¯m out of juice, and none of you will spare a mana potion.¡±

    ¡°Oh, cry me a river.¡± A dwarf grunted, rolling his eyes. ¡°Why should we waste our resources on you? Not like you¡¯d say thanks anyway.¡±

    ¡°Thanks?¡± The changeling spluttered, tentacles flailing. ¡°Thanks for what? I¡¯m out here suffering from your poor planning!¡±

    Joe cleared his throat and stepped forward, digging into his pack, and held up a mana pellet between his fingers, catching the changeling¡¯s attention. ¡°Try one of these, it should help.¡±

    The changeling snatched it without a word, chewing as his tentacles began to retract. His gills smoothed over, and soon he looked more human¡ªif only in form. He scowled at Joe, brushing himself off. ¡°Don¡¯t expect a medal.¡± Turning on his heel he stormed off like Joe had just insulted his entire family tree.

    TJ whistled, shaking his head. ¡°Now, that¡¯s gratitude. Guy looks like a carnival reject, but he¡¯s got the attitude of a king.¡±

    Another dwarf, clearly still steamed, crossed his arms with a scowl. ¡°Gratitude? I¡¯d settle for some basic warning. My buddy¡¯s stuck back in the common room thanks to Squid Boy¡¯s antics here, and he¡¯s got to hike his way all the way back!¡±

    The ratfolk rolled his eyes. ¡°Oh, the horror. So you walk a bit. Not like any of us haven¡¯t hiked before. What did you think this was, a luxury spa?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get smart with me.¡± The dwarf shot back with a sneer. ¡°I thought Red Bamboo Lagoon would be¡­y¡¯know, bamboo and maybe some fish. Not a death trap.¡±

    Joe led the group around them before they wrestled each other to the ground.

    ¡°Okay that was most enlightening.¡± Rose planted her staff and stared out to sea. ¡°No magic allowed to reach the lagoon.¡±

    Joe reached for Dawn. ¡°Yeah Poppy said reaching the lagoon was the puzzle. Dawn can you see what route we need to take to reach the lagoon.¡± All he could see was the ocean and a rocky island some ways out surrounded by red bamboo.

    Dawn frowned as she checked her map. She didn¡¯t look any happier after she checked it. ¡°Looks like there is an underwater tunnel that you need to swim through to reach the lagoon but it is 1600 meters long. Don¡¯t think any of us can hold our breath for ten minutes no matter how fast you can swim.¡±

    Joe knew he was a fast swimmer but holding his breath for ten minutes without using his skills was a nope.

    TJ cracked his knuckles and gave a little grin. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this over with. I¡¯ll go first. I¡¯m the strongest, so if anything¡¯s lurking in there, I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    Nick rolled his eyes, arms crossed. ¡°Strength¡¯s great, but you¡¯re going to want speed. If I can get a sea monster to pull me through, I¡¯ll make it to the other side before you¡¯re even halfway¡ª¡±

    He paused, and the realization dawned. ¡°Right. The runes. They¡¯ll block magic.¡± He scowled at the lagoon, clearly not thrilled about the idea of swimming it solo.

    Just as TJ took a step forward, Rose¡¯s hand shot out, blocking him with her staff. ¡°Hold up, TJ.¡± She took a deep breath, letting the silence settle. ¡°Back in my world, I was a competitive free diver.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Really? I had no idea you liked diving.¡±

    Rose¡¯s mouth twisted into a half-smile, but there was no humor in it. ¡°I don¡¯t. My parents pushed me into it. Diving, academic clubs¡ªanything they thought would make me the perfect daughter and improve our family¡¯s prospects. I did it all to please them, but nothing I did was ever good enough.¡±

    Dawn looked at Rose with understanding clear in her eyes. ¡°Keeping up appearances¡­it¡¯s all bullshit. Did you ever break free and do what you wanted before you died?¡±

    Rose gave a short laugh, bitter and quiet. ¡°Not even close. They wanted me to go into a high flying career in Parliament¡ªsome long, tedious government career path they approved of. Not that it matters anymore.¡± Her fingers tightened around her staff. ¡°Now I¡¯m gone, all they have left is the trophies and awards I won.¡±

    A silence fell over the group, and Joe watched her for a moment. She looked at the water with something deeper than determination, something that went beyond the usual challenge.

    Finally, Joe gave a small nod. ¡°Well, then, maybe this is your shot to do it your way.¡±

    Rose looked at him, a flicker of something lighter in her eyes. She nodded, her shoulders squaring. ¡°Exactly. So if anyone¡¯s going first, it¡¯s me.

    ***

    The water rippled as another ascender dove into the depths, vanishing in a froth of bubbles moments after Rose dove. Joe¡¯s heart thrummed as he paced back and forth on the sand. Even with his Quick Wit activated he could only track her descent for a few meters before the shadows swallowed her whole.

    They¡¯d agreed to keep in contact through the party chat, and Rose was supposed to surface at the first sign of trouble. Respawns? Too risky.

    Raised voices from the beach pulled Joe¡¯s attention. A group of ascenders struggled in the distance, their voices slicing through the sound of the waves.

    ¡°Damn.¡± Rose¡¯s voice startled him. He spun around, finding her behind them, squeezing water from her hair. ¡°Looked easy at first¡ªstraight dive, hold your breath long enough, and handle the pressure. Turns out, it¡¯s not.¡±

    Brian frowned, his eyes darting between Rose and the foamy waters. ¡°Wait, weren¡¯t you¡­I swear you went all the way down. What happened?¡±

    Rose exhaled, rubbing at her neck. ¡°There¡¯s a trap near the entrance to the tunnel. Invisible. It triggers when someone goes through it, and if they try to come back up, they get stuck. Loads of ascenders ran out of air down there and died.¡±

    Joe winced, glancing at the other groups gathered near the water. Some looked worried. Others, overconfident. The urge to warn them rose in his chest.

    He stepped forward, but TJ¡¯s scowl stopped him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother trying to tell them.¡± TJ jerked his thumb toward the water. ¡°They¡¯ll think you¡¯re trying to scare them off so we can grab the Red Bamboo loot for ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, TJ¡¯s right.¡± Dawn rested a hand on Joe¡¯s shoulder. She tipped her head toward another faction gathered near the water¡¯s edge. ¡°While you were pacing, I overheard them. They¡¯ve burned through fifteen respawns already. Some of them know about the trap Rose mentioned. It¡¯s not stopping them.¡±

    Joe shook his head. ¡°Why are they being so reckless? Respawning¡¯s a gamble right now.¡± He yanked his hood up, pulling the cords tight. As he took a deep breath to steady himself, he caught the tail end of another group¡¯s argument.

    ¡°Never trust a kobold-ratfolk hybrid.¡± A dwarf stomped into the sand. ¡°I told you Parson would bail. He¡¯s probably stuffing his face with grapes in the orange zone.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡± A green-hoodied changeling rolled her eyes and gave the dwarf a shove toward the water. ¡°Means it¡¯s your turn, Fran.¡±

    Fran stumbled, her feet splashing in the shallows. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m only QRL 19, or I¡¯d drag your scaly ass in with me.¡±

    The changeling crossed her arms. ¡°Save it. Hold your breath, loot the chute, and stop whining. I¡¯m not getting wet for this lich¡¯s twisted little games.¡±

    Joe crossed his arms, watching as Fran sighed, flicked the water in frustration, and dove. Her splash sent ripples rolling over the changeling¡¯s calves.

    The changeling groaned, squinting at the bubbles trailing from Fran¡¯s dive. ¡°Parson better show up soon.¡±

    Joe turned back to Rose. ¡°And they know about the trap?¡±

    Rose nodded, her mouth pressed into a thin line. ¡°They know. But they¡¯re gambling they¡¯ll be the exception.¡±

    ¡°And most of them won¡¯t be.¡± Joe sighed.

 ATC 2 Ch. 8: Into the Deep

    Joe thought back to Poppy¡¯s warning about the glitchy respawn mechanics. He¡¯d a sinking feeling that was why those ascenders hadn¡¯t made it back from the common room to regroup with their factions. The thought made his stomach tighten. He turned to Rose, scratching his head.

    ¡°So, how far¡¯d you get on your first try?¡±

    Rose wrung out her hair, irritation flickering across her face. ¡°Not far enough. I got about halfway. I wasn¡¯t even near the trap when I had to turn back.¡±

    Luna tilted her head. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something waiting down there,¡± Rose said, her tone low. ¡°A bioluminescent glow at the edge of my vision. It was blurry, but something about it didn¡¯t feel right. No magic means I¡¯m stuck relying on regular sight, and you know how murky everything gets underwater. It was waiting for me, Joe. We¡¯d agreed no risky respawns so I wasn¡¯t about to stick around and see what it wanted.¡±

    Luna¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°So let me get this straight. You have to hold your breath, dodge a glow-in-the-dark sea monster, and solve a puzzle? Fantastic. Totally reasonable.¡±

    Joe shrugged, cracking a half-smile. ¡°Right? Nothing like a little life-or-death multitasking. Tower¡¯s really upping the stakes.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s even the odds.¡± TJ tapped the sheath of his machete with a cocky grin. ¡°Me and Dawn will take care of the monster. Rose you can focus on getting to the lagoon.¡± He shot Dawn a look, eyebrows raised, clearly expecting her to back him up.

    Dawn stood with her arms crossed, staring hard at the water, her lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Hell no, TJ. I like swimming as much as cats do. I¡¯ve had my fill of it¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, swallowed by the sound of the waves.

    Her eyes flicked to Joe for a split second, and he saw it¡ªthe glimmer of something raw, something unspoken. He thought back to their shared vision, the gray-washed memory of that brutal industrial school.

    Joe cleared his throat, forcing a grin to cut through the tension. ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll dive in. Just keep an eye out for any skinny dippers, alright?¡±

    Dawn grimaced, glancing at the factions milling near the water. ¡°If I see any dangly bits or someone trying to pull a Baywatch slow-mo run, I¡¯m done. Faith in humanity? Gone.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t catch me out there either.¡± Brian shrugged. ¡°I swim like a stone. Growing up in the dwarf mines doesn¡¯t exactly make you an Olympian.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± TJ interrupted, puffing out his chest. ¡°Look, I¡¯m the toughest here. If anything messes with Rose, I¡¯ll smack it back from where it came.¡±

    Luna shook her head. ¡°Have you ever fought anything underwater, TJ?¡±

    TJ¡¯s bravado wavered for a second, but he quickly shrugged it off. ¡°No, but I mean¡ªhow different can it be from dry land?¡±

    ¡°A lot different.¡± Luna crouched to swirl her hand through the water. ¡°Everything¡¯s slower, heavier. And another thing¡­¡± She stood, flashing a confident grin. ¡°Unlike you, Mr. Strong-and-Stubborn, I¡¯ve actually fought underwater. Grew up on a fishing island. Handling sea creatures and gutting them? Second nature.¡±

    Joe caught the steady look in her eyes and a knot formed in his gut. The deeper you went, the darker it got. You¡¯d lose your sense of up and down¡ªa cruel trick of the depths.

    TJ seemed to catch on, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Alright, fine. I¡¯ll stick to dry land. Someone¡¯s got to guard your clothes and gear.¡±

    Joe sighed, realizing he¡¯d have to strip down. There was no point risking his gear to the lagoon¡¯s death trap. Kicking off his boots, he gave his pants a quick shake and stripped down to his tighty-whiteys, tossing his gear into a pile.

    TJ grinned, barely suppressing a laugh. ¡°You¡¯re brave, I¡¯ll give you that.¡±

    Before Joe could reply, Luna, unfazed, started peeling off her gear. Underneath, she wore long johns dotted with tiny red hearts. She beamed. ¡°Got these with time credits. Self-cleaning, quick-drying¡ªlove-heart runes for the win.¡±

    Rose snorted, then shot Joe a mischievous look. ¡°Any chance you¡¯ve got a spare pair for him?¡±

    Luna rummaged in her bag, dropping a pair of white shorts patterned with hearts onto Joe¡¯s pile. ¡°Backup pair. You can keep ¡®em. I prefer my cozy onesies to boxers.¡±

    Joe¡¯s face flushed redder than the hearts on the shorts. ¡°Uh¡­thanks, I think.¡±

    He waded into the waves to join Rose and Luna, who were already ankle-deep in the surf, the chill creeping up his legs.

    ¡°Dealing with monsters while the runes block ascender magic is no walk in the park,¡± Lucky said, his tone unusually serious. ¡°But you¡¯re in luck¡ªI leveled up my Druidic Eye skill, so I know exactly what¡¯s lurking down there.¡± His eyes gleamed. ¡°Strawberry Squid. Bioluminescent Class. Level 15. It¡¯s got Dual-Eye Vision¡ªone eye up, one down. Sneaking past it is going to be tricky but I¡¯ve got just the thing...¡± A vial appeared in his paw.

    He offered it to Joe. He took it and turned it over, inspecting the blob of white slime inside. It looked harmless like Lucky¡ªbut he knew better than to judge by appearances alone.

    ¡°And this is?¡±

    ¡°Hagfish Slime.¡± Lucky leaned forward and rubbed his hands. ¡°Rare consumable. Just add water.¡±

    Joe raised a brow. ¡°That¡¯s it? No special instructions? No side effects I should know about?¡±

    Brian leaned in, equally curious, while TJ eyed it with suspicion like it was a vial of spunk he¡¯d been told he had to drink.

    Lucky¡¯s whiskers twitched. ¡°Just don¡¯t drink it. You¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    A low rumble echoed from the lagoon, followed by a faint, pulsing glow that painted the waves in eerie hues. The sight sent a ripple of tension through the factions on the beach, some of whom were already gearing up to dive in.

    Lucky¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You better go. Those things¡¯ll swarm if they think more ascenders are coming.¡±

    Joe¡¯s pulse quickened, but Luna just grinned at Lucky, then nudged Joe. ¡°Alright, squid-slayer. Let¡¯s get Rose through this mess.¡±

    With a final nod, Joe and Luna flanked Rose, taking their positions as her guards. The plan was simple: get Rose to the tunnel and past the monster while keeping her alive. Simple never meant easy, though.

    One last breath, and they slipped beneath the surface. The cold water hit Joe like a punch, stealing his breath for a moment before his body adjusted. Below, the squid¡¯s bioluminescent glow pulsed, casting shifting shadows that danced across the seabed.

    Joe met Luna¡¯s gaze and uncorked the vial, releasing the hagfish slime. It unfurled, spreading into thick, ropey tendrils that clouded the water in a dense, murky haze. The glowing light around them wavered, distorted by the slime¡¯s reach.

    The squid jerked, one eye twitching toward the disturbance. Its focus shifted, and Joe felt the pressure in his chest ease.

    Joe: That was easier than I expected.

    Luna: Yeah, a piece of cake. Too bad we don¡¯t have lemon drizzle to celebrate.

    Joe stifled a laugh but kept his strokes smooth, letting Lucky¡¯s earlier warning about the squid¡¯s pressure-sense skill echo in his mind. Luna mirrored his pace with ease, guiding Rose along as they descended.

    The water grew colder with every meter. It seeped past his skin and into his soul. Pulsing blue and green lights from bioluminescent tendrils and coral formations painted their path in an eerie glow. But Joe couldn¡¯t shake the dread pooling in his gut. Something massive moved at the edges of his vision.

    Joe: Did you see that?

    Luna: Yes.

    Rose swam ahead, her strokes smooth and deliberate, the tunnel entrance so close now.

    Joe: Why do I get the feeling the strawberry squid was a decoy?

    Luna¡¯s blade glinted in the dim glow like a shard of moonlight ready to strike. Joe couldn¡¯t activate Quick Wit but he still caught the jerky movements of other ascenders, their bubbles rising in uneven bursts as they struggled toward the tunnel. No magic to help them meant it was all muscle and lung power, and by the look of it, they were running low on both.

    Then everything went to hell.

    A massive shape burst from the darkness, moving faster than Joe thought possible underwater. His stomach did a flip as the creature zeroed in on Rose, its jaws wide and glowing eyes locked onto her like she was the main course.

    ¡°Rose! Look out!¡± Joe wanted to yell but the garbled warning died in his throat as he yanked out his butterfly knife. He spun to intercept, but the water fought him every step of the way. His swings felt like trying to punch through jelly.

    Luna was faster. She surged forward, slicing at the beast with a swing that sent ripples radiating through the water. For a second, the monster recoiled, its glowing body twisting like it was deciding whether to retreat or double down.

    It doubled down.

    A second creature shot up from below, its glowing eyes locked on Luna¡¯s back. Joe¡¯s heart thudded in his chest as he watched her twist to face it. She managed one swing before the creature struck, a blur of motion that ended with a shimmer of bubbles where Luna had been.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Rose darted forward, trying to follow, but the second creature vanished into the depths, dragging Luna with it. A faint, shimmering glow surrounded Rose as she stopped, waving frantically to Joe.

    Rose: Don¡¯t swim any further. It¡¯s an invisible trap. Cross it, and you¡¯ll be stuck, unable to resurface.

    Joe froze, his heart hammering in his chest.

    Joe: But Luna¡­

    Through the murky water, he thought he saw her¡ªswimming, clawing her way back up toward him. But then other ascenders hit the trap, sending silvery ripples outward as they slammed into the invisible barrier.

    Panic spread through the group like wildfire. Joe¡¯s stomach dropped as Luna reappeared again, hammering her fists against the barrier. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, her eyes wide with terror. It was the last thing he saw before she dissolved once more into nothing but bubbles.

    Rose¡¯s eyes met his, wide with urgency.

    Rose: Go back before you run out of air too. I¡¯ve still got plenty more in reserve.

    Joe¡¯s vision blurred with rising notifications flashing in the edge of his vision: GORED appeared over the names of ascenders one by one as they drowned.

    His lungs burned, the desperate urge to inhale clawing at his chest.

    Joe: Let¡¯s hope she¡¯s respawned topside. Guys up top, let me know if you see her.

    Dawn: No sign of Luna yet, but we¡¯re keeping watch.

    Joe gave Rose one last, reluctant look before turning back. Each stroke heavier than the last, his body screamed for air as his legs dragged like lead weights. The icy water wrapped around him like a vice, squeezing every ounce of energy from his muscles.

    The surface seemed miles away, dark spots creeping into his vision as his muscles burned. Don¡¯t panic, he told himself, kicking harder. Don¡¯t you dare panic.

    With one final, desperate kick, he broke through the surface. Air slammed into his lungs as he gasped, the salt spray stinging his face.

    He blinked hard, clearing his vision. Dawn, TJ, and Brian were waiting, their faces grim.

    Luna was nowhere to be seen.

    Joe: Hey, Gaia. We¡¯re waiting on Rose to reach the lagoon. Luna should¡¯ve respawned by now, but she hasn¡¯t shown up here. Is she in the common room with you?

    Nick: No tag shows her location on my map. She¡¯s not anywhere on this floor.

    Gaia: She¡¯s not here either. Ryan¡¯s in the bunks resting. I¡¯ll start looking for Luna.

    Joe¡¯s stomach dropped, the cold dread settling in like a weight. The realization hit him harder than the freezing water¡ªLuna was missing.

    ***

    Joe quickly dried off and yanked on his clothes, hoping no one would notice the heart-patterned boxers Luna had given him. Thankfully, no one did.

    Lucky was off in his own little zen druid flow, paws on his chest, looking like a furry Buddha. TJ and Brian hovered near Nick, all laser-focused on the alliance chat, waiting for updates from Rose. Dawn stood off to the side, arms crossed, her eyes distant.

    Pulling on his hoodie, Joe messed up his hair but flicked it back into place with a quick shake. He hopped into his boots and made his way over to Dawn. ¡°What¡¯s the look for? You seeing ghosts, or just planning to yell at the ocean?¡±

    Her lips twitched, but her tone stayed serious. ¡°The map¡¯s still incomplete. I thought once Rose entered the tunnel, my interface would reveal more since we¡¯re in the same faction. But there¡¯s nothing.¡±

    Nick looked up from the chat, giving a grim nod. ¡°Same here. No updates. All we can do is wait.¡±

    Waiting sucked. Joe shoved his hands into his pockets, resisting the urge to spam Rose with messages. Asking if she was okay every five seconds wasn¡¯t going to help her hold her breath. Instead, he ended up pacing the sand alongside TJ, who was making his impatience as obvious as a bull in a china shop.

    ¡°She should¡¯ve made it by now.¡± TJ growled, his boots kicking up sand. ¡°Joe, message her.¡±

    Brian, stroking his goatee like it might offer answers, nodded. ¡°Can¡¯t hurt.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t need any more convincing. He pulled up the alliance chat, ready to fire off a message until Halcyon decided it was his time to shine.

    ¡°Keep it simple, chump!¡±

    Joe: Rose, how you doing?

    No response.

    Joe glanced at the group. They might as well have been holding their breath with her. The silence tightened around him, each second stretching longer.

    What if there¡¯s no air pocket and it¡¯s all a trap?

    ¡°Then she¡¯ll die and respawn,¡± Halcyon said, his tone almost...soft, like he was trying to be comforting. ¡°Oh, and before you get your cute heart-covered boxers in a twist, even if there¡¯s a problem with respawn locations, Rose has a good stash of respawns thanks to her race. She¡¯ll probably get back to you unharmed.¡±

    Wow, thanks, Joe thought, biting back sarcasm. That makes me feel so much better.

    ¡°Sarcasm doesn¡¯t land as well, when we share the same body, you know.¡±

    Joe snorted. ¡°Share? More like hijacked," he blurted out without thinking.

    The group turned to stare at him, eyebrows raised.

    Joe waved them off. ¡°Self-coaching. Totally normal.¡±

    A notification blinked in his vision, and his pulse kicked up a notch. A message.

    Rose: Made it! Reached the air pocket. Give me a sec¡ªneed to start breathwork.

    The group let out a collective sigh, loud enough to jolt Lucky from his trance. The little druid blinked up at Joe, waiting.

    Joe filled him in, and Lucky stood, placing both paws on his chest like a tiny yoga instructor. ¡°Tell Rose to inhale slow, hold, exhale steady. Don¡¯t rush it, or she¡¯ll pass out.¡±

    Joe relayed the advice and added to the chat.

    TJ: Rose, you still alive and kicking? Talk to us.

    Brian: If you can describe your surroundings I can help you locate red bamboo.

    Joe glanced at Brian, who had stopped stroking his beard and was gripping his vape of clarity like it was his lifeline. The big guy took a long inhale, his usual calm looking a little shaky.

    Rose: Thank Lucky for me. I¡¯m doing okay, guys. Don¡¯t worry. Just trying not to think about the ten minutes I spent free diving through what smells like crab farts.

    Dawn: Glad to hear it. Grab the algae, any loot, and get the hell out. Joe and TJ are pacing a hole into the sand. We¡¯ll need a rope to rescue them.

    Laughter emojis flooded the chat.

    Rose: I can picture that. The lagoon¡¯s prettier than it smells, though. Water¡¯s so still it¡¯s like a black mirror. Flowers everywhere¡ªkind of weird-looking ones. Oh, and these indigo-colored rocks look nice against the red algae clusters. Pulling it off the rocks now...

    Brian rubbed his hands together like he was ready to dissect whatever she brought back.

    Brian: That¡¯s red bamboo. Be careful. I won¡¯t be able to ID it properly until you¡¯re back here.

    Rose: It¡¯s gross and slimy but seems harmless enough.

    Joe grinned eager to reply as he relayed bits of information to Lucky.

    Joe: Fantastic! Now pack it up and get back before something in the lagoon decides to make you lunch.

    Rose: Wait. There¡¯s another patch behind some vines. Looks fresher. Might as well grab it while I¡¯m here.

    Lucky tugged Joe¡¯s sleeve, eyes wide. ¡°Oh no, ask her to wait! What do the vines look like? Some plants down there have nasty defense mechanisms.¡±

    Joe winced, remembering his one and only encounter with poison ivy.

    Joe: Before you touch those vines, Lucky wants to know what they look like?

    Rose: Uh, kind of like seaweed with air sacs. You see them in rockpools.

    Once the information was relayed, Lucky¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Tell her NOT to touch them!¡±

    Before Joe could warn her another message appeared.

    Rose: Shit, you guys see the timer. I¡¯ve got two minutes before this place floods. Time to grab and run for the exit wherever the hell that is.

    Joe: Rose, don¡¯t touch¡ª!

    Rose: It burns. Smells like mildew. Glitter spores everywhere.

    Lucky clamped his paws on Joe¡¯s arm, claws digging in as Joe relayed the message.

    TJ let out a low growl. ¡°Glitter spores? Fuckin¡¯ great.¡±

    Lucky spoke fast. ¡°Tell her to stay calm. The cure¡¯s nearby. Look for a bright-colored, thick-petaled plant. Those spores always have an antidote close by.¡±

    Joe: Spore sacs mean toxins. Rose, listen carefully. Don¡¯t panic. Look around for a plant with bright-colored, thick petals. Neutralizers grow near the spores.

    Rose: I can¡¯t see a thing. It¡¯s like swimming in death glitter!

    Joe: You¡¯ve got this, Rose. Lucky¡¯s never wrong about plants. Usually. He learnt his lesson after Audrey II.

    Rose: Oh¡ªwait. Found something! Bright-blue flowers. Thick petals.

    Joe relayed it to Lucky, who nodded.

    ¡°Perfect. Break them open, drink the sap. It¡¯ll neutralize the spores and stop her dying a slow, suffocating death.¡±

    Joe relayed the warning but left out the unspoken subtext. No need to freak her out.

    TJ: Chug it, Rose!

    Rose: Done! Tastes like someone fermented gym socks and called it a cocktail. But hey, I can breathe again! Time to loot and skedaddle. Got 50 seconds left before this place floods!

    Lucky cleared his throat. ¡°Tell her to grab some petals. They¡¯re a great laxative¡ªthough there¡¯s a small chance of, uh, enthusiastic diarrhea.¡±

    Joe shot him a look. ¡°Yeah, definitely not telling her that.¡±

    Joe: Lucky says grab some petals. They¡¯re useful for¡­alchemy.

    Rose: Tell Lucky I grabbed some. Moving out now.

    The chat fell silent, a thick tension hanging over the group. Then, a notification popped up.

    [A member of the Titan Slayers shared system updates with alliance chat. Access: Yes/No?]

    Joe selected yes.

    [Ascender #50 achieved an Eternal Honor: Spore Survivor. Resistance to Airborne Toxins Increased. Bonus Skill: Toxic Rebound Unlocked.]

    Joe: Toxic Rebound? What¡¯s that?

    Rose: Toxic Rebound: Absorb airborne toxins to fuel an AoE poison burst.

    Joe: Now that¡¯s teamwork. Get the algae and get back.

    Rose: Already grabbed it. Both patches. Found some hidden stuff near the vines too.

    [System Notification: Rare Drop Acquired¡ªMote of Stillwater.]

    Joe: ¡°Mote of Stillwater¡±? What¡¯s that?

    Rose: No clue, but it¡¯s shiny and looks important. Giving it to Brian later.

    TJ: Get your ass back here now, Rose.

    Rose: Uh¡­slight problem. I don¡¯t see a way out. The air pocket¡¯s a dead end.

    Joe blinked, feeling a cold knot twist in his gut. You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me.

    Dawn and Nick had no new insights to share from their maps.

    ¡°Lucky, ideas?¡±

    Lucky tapped his chin like a miniature philosopher before answering. ¡°Check the lagoon. Look for anything unnatural¡ªlight, movement, anything off.¡±

    Joe relayed the advice to Rose.

    Silence dragged on, and the thudding of his heart seemed louder with every second. Finally, a reply popped up.

    Rose: There¡¯s something¡­glinting in the center of the lagoon. It¡¯s faint, but I can see it.

    Joe: A glint? What is it?

    Rose: No idea, but it¡¯s the only thing standing out. Going to check it.

    Joe: ¡°Glowing¡± and ¡°pulsing¡± are trap keywords, Rose. Be careful.

    Rose: Got no other option, Joe. If this kills me, I¡¯ll haunt you. Going in now.

 ATC 2 Chapter 9: With Open Eyes

    Joe stared out over the churning waters where Rose had dove, willing her to pop back up like a cork. Dawn stood next to him, cursing her map under her breath. Apparently, she couldn¡¯t locate Rose, which wasn¡¯t doing much for the group tension.

    A sudden flash lit up the horizon, forcing Joe to shield his eyes. Beside him, Dawn spun away, and her fiery hair whipped across his face. It smelled like cherries.

    Smiling, Joe rubbed his cheek.

    Dawn gathered her hair into a messy bun and gave him a quick, apologetic smile. It vanished the second they both turned back to the water.

    Hovering just above the waves was something impossible¡ªa door made of pure light, its edges shimmering and crackling. Joe squinted, half-wanting to look away. Then a shadow moved inside it, stepping closer.

    The figure emerged, landing with a splash.

    ¡°Rose!¡± Dawn clamped onto Joe¡¯s arm and jumped, dragging him half a step forward.

    Rose blinked against the sunlight, her damp hair clinging to her face. A strong breeze tousled her locks as recognition lit up her expression, and she broke into a wide grin. Behind her, the glowing portal snapped shut with a sharp crack, leaving behind only the faint tang of ozone.

    Forgetting she was still clutching him like a life preserver, Dawn rushed forward, yanking Joe along before letting him go to throw a towel around Rose. Joe stumbled but managed to stay upright as TJ barrelled over, arms wide, followed by Brian and Nick. The group collapsed into a spontaneous hug pile.

    ¡°All right, all right, give her some space!¡± Dawn waved everyone back like an annoyed mom herding kids.

    Once the crew untangled themselves, Rose dried off and pulled on her gear.

    TJ wasted no time diving in with questions. ¡°So¡­a portal in the middle of the lagoon?¡± He crossed his arms, looking both impressed and suspicious.

    Rose frowned, wringing water from her hair. ¡°I guess you could call it that. The glint in the water was a loot box that served as a metal plug. When I removed the box, a sinkhole opened up, and I got sucked in. I thought I was about to drown when a notification popped up asking if I wanted to activate a light portal credit. It drained my mana, but, well¡­¡± She gestured at herself. ¡°Better than dying.¡±

    ¡°Smart call.¡± Brian nodded.

    ¡°Yeah, being flushed down a lagoon sinkhole isn¡¯t all it¡¯s cracked up to be,¡± TJ muttered, sounding like he knew this from experience.

    Joe opened his mouth to speak, but a notification blinked into his vision, grabbing his attention.

    [Memo from Ascender #145 of the Bruiser Battalion: Accept Yes/No?]

    Joe chose Yes, and the message appeared in their alliance chat:

    [Bruiser Battalion Update: Fighting Crab Titan. Difficulty high. No casualties yet. HP pool massive. Poison resistance confirmed. Bubble attacks adapting to targets. Quad skates providing mobility on volcanic rock terrain.]

    Joe couldn¡¯t stop scrolling through the stats for the Crab Titan. Massive HP pool. Poison resistance. Damage-resistant shell. It was the kind of boss fight that gave gamers nightmares. He snorted. ¡°Okay, so Crabzilla¡¯s got cheat codes. Awesome.¡±

    Lucky shivered, his fur puffing up like a spooked cat. ¡°It¡¯s worse than you think. At that level, even its shell has passive damage resistance. Bruiser Battalion¡¯s speed is the only thing keeping them alive, but with those bubble attacks adapting¡­¡± He trailed off, his black eyes narrowing. ¡°They won¡¯t stay out of reach for long.¡±

    Joe glanced back at the alliance chat update. ¡°Bubble attacks adapting to targets is a serious issue for them.¡±

    It all felt like Bubble Bobble: Kaiju Edition

    ¡°They¡¯re doomed,¡± Lucky muttered.

    ¡°Unless¡­¡± Joe tapped his chin.

    ¡°Unless what?¡± TJ cut in.

    ¡°Unless we get creative. Let¡¯s start with Rose¡¯s stash from the lagoon.¡± Joe finished, while Lucky¡¯s nose twitched.

    Rose stepped forward, holding out the slimy red bamboo. ¡°Here, Brian. Do your thing.¡±

    Brian took the algae with an almost reverent expression. ¡°Time to find out what secrets you¡¯re hiding.¡± His alchemy tools appeared in a smooth motion, and he activated his Identify Alchemy skill. A faint glow surrounded the bamboo, and Brian¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh, this is good. Really good.¡±

    Joe tilted his head. ¡°How good?¡±

    Brian grinned. ¡°Mana drain properties. Potent as hell.¡±

    Seagulls swooped in like feathery missiles, their eyes fixed on the algae. Rose yelped, shielding her head as one dove uncomfortably close.

    Nick stepped in, activating his ranger skill to corral the birds. His hands glowed faintly as he muttered commands, and the flock reluctantly hovered at a safe distance. ¡°I¡¯ve got them under control for now¡­¡±

    Rose scowled, brushing feathers from her shoulder. ¡°Can¡¯t use Water Shield. Low mana.¡±

    Brian smirked. ¡°Take a pellet. Strong taste, but it¡¯ll top you up.¡±

    She popped one, grimacing as she swallowed. ¡°Tastes like socks soaked in soap.¡±

    Joe ducked another low-flying gull and grumbled. ¡°Seriously, what is it with these birds?¡±

    Brian¡¯s grin widened. ¡°They¡¯re drawn to the algae. Must smell like a feast.¡±

    Dawn flicked fire between her fingers. ¡°If one more of these flying rats comes near me, I¡¯m flamb¨¦ing them.¡±

    TJ unsheathed his machete, which gleamed as he laughed. ¡°Or I could slice and dice. BK here¡ªbest machete in the tower. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every monster, accept no substitutes.¡±

    Dawn laughed. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. Everyone has a special spark inside them. The secret is using that spark to destroy your enemies!¡±

    Joe held up his hands. ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let¡¯s not murder the seagulls just yet. We could weaponize them.¡±

    Nick blinked. ¡°How?¡±

    Joe turned to him. ¡°How far can you control them, and how much mana does it cost?¡±

    Nick rubbed his chin, his gaze following the gulls. ¡°Range is decent, but the longer I hold them, the more it drains me. Why?¡±

    ¡°Perfect.¡± Joe¡¯s grin turned downright mischievous.

    TJ¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Wait¡­ Are you thinking what I think you¡¯re thinking?¡± He broke into a toothy smile. ¡°You want to feed them the algae so they can¡ªwhat? Bomb Crabzilla? That¡¯s epic.¡±

    Brian shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not going to work. It¡¯d take too long for them to digest the algae and, uh, process it. If we want to take down the crab, it needs to eat the algae.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Dawn pulled out her map. ¡°But how long¡¯s that gonna take us? We¡¯re here¡±¡ªshe tapped the beach¡ª¡°and Craggy Bottom is way over there. If we don¡¯t move fast, the Bruiser Battalion will be crab chow before we even show up.¡±

    Nick nodded, his expression grim. ¡°She¡¯s right. They¡¯re holding their own, but for how much longer?¡±

    Joe ran a hand through his hair, his brain spinning. Time. It was always the problem. No matter the plan, there was never enough of it, yet their very lives depended on it. But there was always a workaround. He glanced at Rose, a light bulb going off. ¡°Kind of like how you used that FTL hack to avoid drowning in the sinkhole.¡±

    Rose blinked at him. ¡°What¡¯re you getting at?¡±

    Joe¡¯s grin was back. ¡°You¡¯ve got those petals Lucky asked you to store, right?¡±

    Rose¡¯s eyes narrowed, but the corners of her mouth twitched. ¡°Yeah¡­ why?¡±

    Joe turned to the others, his grin now full of confidence. ¡°I know how we can save time.¡±

    ***

    The moment the first gull squawked overhead, Joe winced. It wasn¡¯t the ear-piercing cry that got to him¡ªit was the way they all chimed in after, their shrill voices echoing like a broken record.

    ¡°Mine! Mine! Mine!¡±

    Joe grimaced as another gull dove low, its claws grasping at air as Nick¡¯s glowing mana tether yanked it back into formation. ¡°Seriously, did these things watch too much Finding Nemo or what?¡±

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Nick, sweat beading on his brow, barely managed a tired chuckle. ¡°I don¡¯t know what that is but it¡¯s like trying to control a mob of overgrown toddlers with wings. They¡¯ve got the attention span of a gnat.¡±

    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re doing great, ranger.¡± Rose sidestepped as one particularly loud gull swooped a little too close.

    ¡°Mine!¡± another gull shrieked, snapping at Rose. Nick¡¯s tether glowed brighter, jerking it away just in time.

    Rose glared at the offending bird, clutching the algae tighter. ¡°They¡¯re relentless! I must reek of algae and feel like I¡¯m walking around with a flashing ¡®Free Buffet¡¯ sign.¡±

    Dawn, running ahead, snorted. ¡°If they start unionizing, I¡¯m voting to roast the lot of them.¡±

    Joe smirked. ¡°Noted. But unless you want Crabzilla picking its teeth with our bones, let¡¯s not turn the air force into dinner yet.¡±

    Ahead, the volcanic rock terrain of Craggy Bottom came into view, the faint shimmer of the battle dome highlighted the hazy heat. Inside, the Bruiser Battalion was a blur of motion, their quad skates effortlessly gliding as they weaved around the massive crab titan. One of the crab¡¯s glowing bubbles popped near a fighter, releasing a sticky green mist that clung to her like glue. Another skater yanked her free as soon as the crab lunged, its massive claw missing her by inches.

    ¡°Mine! Mine!¡± The gulls shrieked again, breaking his focus. Nick¡¯s face was a mask of concentration, the mana tethers glowing brighter as he strained to keep the flock in line.

    Joe clapped Nick on the shoulder, grinning. ¡°You¡¯re doing great. Keep them from eating each other¡ªor us¡ªand we¡¯ll call it a win.¡±

    Nick exhaled, pulling the formation tighter as the gulls swarmed. ¡°These things are costing me more mana than I¡¯d like.¡±

    ¡°Mine!¡± one gull screeched, its wings flapping as it dove toward Brian.

    Brian sidestepped, shaking his head. ¡°We¡¯d better hope this mix works, or we¡¯ll be relying on bird poop as Plan A.¡±

    Joe gestured toward the dome, five fighters, all female, moving in perfect unison like a roller derby team from hell. KT led the charge, her spiked gloves crackling as she deflected a massive claw swipe from the crab titan.

    Inside the dome, one of the battalion members, a muscular kobold woman with a battle axe, underestimated the range of a red bubble. It exploded on contact, launching her backward into a jagged rock. The impact was brutal, but before Joe could even gasp, a slender elf with flowing silver hair was by her side. Her glowing hands cast a healing spell that revived the kobold and yanked her out of the crab¡¯s reach.

    ¡°Bubble attacks confirmed.¡± Brian¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Red is explosive. What do you think purple does?¡±

    As if on cue, a purple bubble burst near KT, unleashing a sticky mist that clung to her skates. She gritted her teeth, using brute strength to break free before the crab¡¯s claw came crashing down.

    ¡°Sticky traps.¡± Brian grimaced.

    Joe¡¯s stomach tightened as he turned to Nick. ¡°Can the gulls get through the barrier?¡±

    Nick wiped sweat from his brow, his grip on the seagulls¡¯ formation visibly strained. ¡°They should. If not¡­ well, we¡¯ll know soon enough.¡±

    ¡°Poppy?¡± Joe called out, hoping for guidance from their system avatar. Nothing. No response. What was she doing?

    Joe glanced skyward, watching as the first gull reached the barrier. It hesitated for a moment before diving through with a squawk of triumph. Joe let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding. ¡°Okay, they¡¯re in. Let¡¯s hope this works.¡±

    Inside the dome, the gulls dove toward Crabzilla. Some pecked at its barnacle-covered shell, a few getting their heads hilariously stuck as their wings flapped in frantic fits. Nick grunted, his hands twitching as he worked to maintain control.

    ¡°These birds are insane,¡± Nick said through gritted teeth.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing great.¡± Joe clapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Just a few need to land the payload.¡±

    Several gulls broke formation, diving onto the crab¡¯s back and releasing their payloads¡ªa disgusting, violet-hued rain, courtesy of the metabolized algae and blue petals. The mix splattered across Crabzilla¡¯s carapace, and while it didn¡¯t seem to notice at first, the results were swift. Its massive claws slowed, and the bubbles stopped.

    ¡°It¡¯s working!¡± Joe grinned. ¡°The mana drain is kicking in!¡±

    But the celebration was short-lived. Deprived of its mana, Crabzilla went full agro, switching to pure physical attacks. It slammed its claws into the ground, sending shockwaves through the volcanic terrain.

    KT barked orders, rallying her team to keep moving, but the crab¡¯s sheer ferocity was taking its toll. One battalion member, a dwarf with a crossbow, was struck by a claw and didn¡¯t get back up. Her body dissolved into a rainbow haze.

    Joe¡¯s stomach tightened. ¡°She¡¯s gone¡­no respawn.¡± The weight of the tower¡¯s respawn glitch settled over him.

    He shook himself and pulled up the alliance chat.

    Joe: KT, send a runner to us. We¡¯ve got something that can help.

    A moment later, a changeling with spiked shoulder pads, skated outside the barrier. Brian handed her a fist-sized chunk of treated algae. She raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± she asked, her voice heavy with doubt. She pocketed the algae and stared through the dome, waiting for her runner to retrieve the item from the inventory.

    Brian smirked, winking. ¡°Just wait.¡±

    As the runner returned to her team, the algae expanded, swelling to the size of a bowling ball thanks to Brian¡¯s alchemical miracle grow. The battalion moved in unison, baiting Crabzilla into opening its massive mouth. The dwarf hurled the algae with perfect accuracy, and it disappeared down the crab¡¯s gullet.

    The effects were immediate.

    Crabzilla froze, its massive frame trembling as its remaining energy drained away.

    KT shouted, and the battalion launched their final assault. Glaives flashed, chains cracked, and dual axes tore into the now-vulnerable shell. Each strike was precise, their teamwork a masterclass in coordinated combat.

    A system notification flashed in Joe¡¯s vision:

    [Titan Defeated! Victory Awarded to Bruiser Battalion.]

    The dome shimmered before vanishing, signaling the battle¡¯s end. Joe let out a sigh of relief, but movement on the far side of the battlefield caught his eye. Andras, the emo elf bard, was skulking away, his green hoodie blending into the shadows. Joe¡¯s Quick Wit registered Otto trailing after him, but Johnny the ratfolk was nowhere to be seen.

    A nudge from Dawn broke his focus. ¡°Hey. Chat¡¯s lighting up.¡±

    Joe glanced at the alliance notifications, his chest tightening when he saw Gaia¡¯s name. He hesitated, his gaze hovering over the message icon. Did she find Luna?

    ***

    Sweat stung Joe''s eyes as he jogged to the bunks to meet Ryan. He stopped short, eyes widening as he saw Ryan handing a bottle to a gray-haired kobold. The corrupted green scales had transformed his arm, reshaping it into a muscular, but grotesque frame.

    Gaia paced beside them, twisting a bracelet around her wrist. "I told you, there''s no time for resting. If you want to stay alive, you need to level up, stat. I don''t want to have to go back down there to save your ass again."

    The kobold¡¯s head slowly tilted up, revealing a familiar glint in her eyes.

    "Luna," her name escaped Joe¡¯s breath and she glanced toward him.

    The kobold¡¯s lips twitched into a faint, wry smile. "Joe." Her voice was hoarse, like she¡¯d gargled glass. ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ a rough day.¡±

    Joe rushed over, breathless. "What happened? ¡­ why are you¡ª" he paused, studying her, "so much older?"

    Luna winced, gripping her stomach like something unseen was twisting her insides. ¡°Got stuck in respawn hell cycle¡­couldn¡¯t drag myself out.¡± Her voice cracked as she looked down. ¡°Guess nineteen respawns can do a lot of damage to a kobold like me.¡±

    Gaia¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Her QRL is too low. She couldn¡¯t climb back up.¡± Her words came sharp and fast, like a knife thrown across the room. ¡°She¡¯s lucky I even found her.¡±

    Ryan sighed, his good hand rubbing Luna¡¯s back. "Gaia''s right, you need to level up. We can always give you some of our years to boost your ascender rank, but life expectancy is untouchable. We can¡¯t have you getting any older." He paused, frowning at his arm. "And I need to level up myself, now that¡­this is my new normal."

    Joe exchanged a quick look with Dawn. She leaned closer, voice low. ¡°Something¡¯s off. Gaia¡¯s¡­tense.¡±

    Gaia¡¯s sharp ears caught Dawn¡¯s words. She stormed over, eyes flashing. "I can hear you, even when you whisper." She tilted Joe¡¯s chin up with a finger, like he was a wayward child. "Trust is what keeps you alive in here. Lose it, and you¡¯ll find out how difficult the climb to the top really is."

    She turned, pointing at Luna. "If you know what¡¯s good for you¡­Level up. Now."

    Across the bunk room, screens flickered to life.. Joe nudged Dawn¡¯s side. "Look¡ªthose two. The dwarf and kobold from the orange zone earlier." He squinted. "They went into the lagoon¡­never came back up. I was too focused on Rose, though."

    The grainy feed showed the pair thrashing in a purple haze, their faces twisted in agony. The haze seemed to leech their vitality with every respawn, each of them reappearing older, their hair streaked with gray and their faces drawn and hollowed.

    "My health¡­ it¡¯s draining," one of them cried, collapsing only to respawn a few paces back, visibly aged.

    "Each time they come back, they¡¯re aging faster," Dawn murmured, her voice horrified.

    Brian shook his head. "We barely made it out of there."

    Joe watched the screen in disbelief. "That dwarf¡­QRL 19. Just like the Lich warned¡ªanyone below QRL 20¡¯s a goner." He glanced at the others. "The more they respawn, the worse it gets."

    The feed cut to the Time Hacker, his clown-masked face and long torso filling the screen. "The Lich is toying with you all," he drawled, his voice eerily calm. "I can show you what¡¯s happening, but I can¡¯t teleport people out. Mana levels on floor three are too high."

    Across the room, a murmur of anger and fear spread. "He¡¯s just standing there watching them die," someone muttered.

    Another added bitterly, "He says he can¡¯t do anything¡­ but he could end their suffering if he wanted."

    "No," Dawn countered, her gaze fixed on the screen. "He¡¯s letting us see the truth about the Lich."

    Joe nodded. "Horrible as it is, he¡¯s giving us the chance to save ourselves."

    Gaia leaned against the bunks, her expression harsh. "See? I wasn¡¯t lying." She gestured at the screen, where she was shown rushing between dying ascenders, lifting their heads moments before they vanished into rainbow haze. "Luna was only recognizable by that stupid braid she insists on wearing." She smirked, a glimmer of relief in her otherwise grim expression.

    The recording showed Gaia¡¯s mana bracelet flaring to life as she supported Luna, practically dragging her through the exit. Other ascenders clawed at her feet, some begging, others simply staring in despair. "I can only save one at a time," she said in the recording, turning away as hollows closed in.

    A raspy voice echoed as the Lich appeared on the screen, taking back control of the situation. "I warned you all¡­this is the process. Do what you need to reach the top, or fall like the rest."

    Someone yelled at him, fury flashing in their eyes. "You want us to die here, don¡¯t you? I bet it¡¯s safer outside this cursed tower than in it."

    The Lich¡¯s laugh echoed. "Power doesn¡¯t come free. If you want the glory, you''d better be ready to pay the price. My tower is the only option left for you lost souls to even have a chance to grasp at immortality."

    A few ascenders clawed the wall, their fingers coating in red drew lines of blood across their faces, mimicking the Time Hacker¡¯s clown mask.

    "You¡¯re with him, huh?" Andras sneered. "You¡¯re either a player or a pawn here. Choose wisely."

    Dawn spun to face the dark elf at the edge of the room. "Why are you here, slumming it with us in the orange zone? Couldn¡¯t keep your faction alive, or are you picking out more ¡®meat¡¯ for the climb?"

    Joe clenched his fists. His knives were useless against screens and smug undead bastards like the Lich, but the urge to hurl one at the wall burned anyway. "We¡¯re done letting you pick on the hopeless."

    Around them, more ascenders smeared their faces, donning the clown mask in solidarity with the Time Hacker. Joe¡¯s gaze swept over them as he spoke, his voice steady. "You may think you¡¯re king of this tower, but take out its queen, and all your pawns will fall, one by one."

 ATC 2 Ch. 10: Nightmares

    TJ and Dawn closed ranks, positioning themselves on either side of Joe like a couple of no-nonsense bodyguards. Their tension was palpable, humming in the air like an overloaded circuit. Joe appreciated the solidarity, even if he wasn¡¯t sure how much good it would do against Andras, the tower¡¯s ultimate suck-up, and the ever-menacing Lich.

    After Joe¡¯s not so subtle challenge directed at the Lich, he¡¯d braced for a sharp comeback ¡ªor an immediate death threat¡ªbut the bastard just stared. His empty sockets boring into Joe like they were trying to peel him apart layer by layer.

    Andras stood there with his arms crossed and his chin angled up. He looked exactly like the kind of guy who reminded the teacher about homework when everyone else wanted to forget.

    The worst part? They both looked satisfied. Too satisfied. Like they were in on some private joke and Joe was the punchline. It gave him flashbacks to Mr. Strickland¡¯s class, where he¡¯d gotten detention just for existing while the golden boy smirked from his desk.

    Notifications blinked at the edge of Joe¡¯s vision, but he ignored them. He couldn¡¯t afford any distractions with Andras spreading his charismatic aura like a bad case of ¡®the clap.¡¯

    The Lich¡¯s empty eye sockets seemed to expand, pulling Joe¡¯s gaze into the void. The temperature dropped.

    Joe shivered.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Ascender 50? Feeling cold, or did someone from your past life step on your grave?¡± The Lich¡¯s voice curled around the room like a sharp, bitter wind, making TJ and Dawn stiffen.

    Brian and Rose edged closer, drawing Ryan and his group into a loose semicircle.

    Andras let out a high-pitched titter, clutching his sides like he¡¯d just heard the world¡¯s funniest joke. His floppy hair fell over one eye, failing to hide the hatred oozing from every pore of his smug face. His fake grin stretched wider as he flicked his hand in a lazy gesture, signaling his alliance to close ranks around him.

    Low, eerie, and off-key, music twisted through the air, the mangled notes of Silence is Golden played like a broken music box. Joe¡¯s gut clenched. It was the kind of soundtrack you got in a horror movie just before the big scare.

    No one survives in horror movies, whispered a voice in his mind.

    Joe pushed the thought away. He locked eyes with the Lich, refusing to look away, as if to say You¡¯re already dead, ascender. Back on Earth, you were buried and forgotten.

    What happens next time I die? The question buzzed like static in Joe¡¯s brain.

    ¡°Nothing. A great big nothing, chump!¡± Halcyon¡¯s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts, unexpectedly steady. ¡°So let¡¯s make sure that doesn¡¯t happen, because I, for one, don¡¯t plan on joining you for another dirt nap.¡±

    For once, Halcyon¡¯s tone wasn¡¯t mocking. It was almost...fatherly. The shift jolted Joe out of his anxiety, and he focused again on the Lich, heat spreading through his chest like a defiant ember.

    A disturbance rippled through the crowd of ascenders. Grumbles turned to sharp snarls as the room parted, making way for someone¡ªor something. Heavy boots pounded against the floor, the vibrations tickling his feet.

    A dwarf stomped into view, his coal-black eyes locked on Andras like twin anvils about to drop. His long, braided beard was streaked with blood, smeared across his round face in a crude mimicry of the Time Hacker¡¯s clown mask. Blood dripped from his cheeks, darkening the red of his beard. The dwarf licked his lips, ignoring the gore as he advanced.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that gruesome bastard?¡± TJ leaned toward Joe.

    Brian answered, his voice low. ¡°Leader of the Merry Miners. I thought he looked familiar, so I checked the faction list.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s grin flashed like a blade. ¡°Good news. He looks mighty pissed at his old buddy Andras.¡±

    Joe nodded, tension in his shoulders easing.

    Brian gave a quick glance at Ryan. ¡°There¡¯s more good news Joe. I checked the alliance chat during your staring match with the Lich. Grizzle¡¯s on his way back from the alchemy station.¡±

    Rose perked up, gripping her staff. ¡°He found a cure?¡±

    Brian hesitated, which told Joe the news wasn¡¯t all sunshine and rainbows. But before he could press for details, Andras¡¯ voice cut through the tension. The eerie music vanished, making Joe wonder if it was some sneaky bard skill.

    Andras pulled a pristine white cloth from his inventory and waved it at the dwarf like a patronizing teacher. ¡°Wipe that ridiculous mask off your face. You look absurd. Let¡¯s not waste any more of the Lich¡¯s time and move on to the fifth floor.¡±

    With a thick, meaty hand, the dwarf snatched the cloth from Andras, balling it up in his bloody fingers. The slick red stains from the tower¡¯s walls smeared over the white fabric, turning it into a gory mess. Over his shoulder, his faction emerged from the crowd¡ªa squad of four other dwarves, all just as intimidating. Their faces were streaked with blood, the whites of their teeth gleaming against the rage etched into their eyes.

    Joe suppressed a whistle. These guys looked like they belonged in a metal album cover, not a tower climb.

    The leader didn¡¯t hesitate. He hurled the blood-soaked cloth straight at Andras, who made zero effort to dodge or catch it. It hit him square in the chest, sliding down in a limp, wet heap at his feet. The floor rippled, almost as if the tower itself recoiled from the insult.

    ¡°Save your mana, Andras. You¡¯re wasting charisma on the likes of me and my men.¡± The dwarf¡¯s gravelly voice grated in Joe¡¯s ears. If words could punch, Andras would be down for the count.

    Andras¡¯ smile didn¡¯t waver, but his eyes hardened. He stepped on the bloody cloth like it offended his delicate sensibilities. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± he said, his voice smooth. ¡°I don¡¯t need magic to influence people¡ªonly common sense and a willingness to help those less fortunate than me to ascend the tower.¡± He leaned in like he was sharing a secret. ¡°You really should be more grateful.¡±

    Joe expected the dwarf to lose it, maybe swing a punch, but instead, the guy grinned. Not a friendly grin either¡ªthis was the grin of a man who enjoyed breaking things. He let out a laugh that could¡¯ve knocked down walls, clutching his round belly like it was the funniest thing he¡¯d ever heard. His men joined, their Beavis and Butthead snickers echoing like a chorus filled with maniacs.

    ¡°You¡¯re a comedian, you know that?¡± The dwarf wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye. ¡°We owe you less than nothing, Andras. We only stuck around because we enjoyed fucking things up and getting nasty.¡±

    Joe arched a brow as the other dwarves picked up the chant like they were in some crazed cult.

    ¡°Nasty. Nasty. Nasty.¡±

    Joe exchanged a quick look with TJ, who mouthed, What the hell?

    The dwarf raised a hand, and the chanting stopped. His coal-black eyes locked onto Andras, and for the first time, it looked like the bard might actually squirm.

    ¡°You¡¯re as fake as this Lich and his tower of lies,¡± the dwarf growled. ¡°Everything here? Illusions and smoke. You don¡¯t even believe your own garbage.¡±

    Andras smoothed his floppy hair with a casual sweep of his hand. ¡°Your trust is misplaced if you listen to the Time Hacker.¡±

    The dwarf barked a short laugh. ¡°Trust? I trust no one but my men. Maybe the Time Hacker¡¯s lying, maybe not. But he said one thing that makes sense. ¡®Open your eyes.¡¯¡±

    Andras glared.

    His silence fueled the dwarf¡¯s savage grin. ¡°But you go ahead, Andras. You and your followers go on your merry way and sleepwalk up to the next floor. Follow your Lich like a good little puppet. Not me. Not my men.¡±

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Joe almost liked the guy. Sure, he looked like he¡¯d just crawled out of a horror movie, but anyone who could make Andras sweat¡­

    The dwarf leaned in closer, his mocking tone cranked to eleven. ¡°We¡¯ll go where we please, when we please, and do what we please.¡± He mimicked Andras¡¯ posh voice so perfectly, Joe almost laughed out loud.

    Dawn nudged Joe with her elbow, her fiery hair bouncing as she whispered, ¡°If he wasn¡¯t such a sick, twisted SOB, this dwarf would be my new favorite person.¡±

    Joe grinned despite himself. For once, someone was giving Andras exactly what he deserved. Yet the Lich¡¯s silence loomed, a dark cloud over the exchange. Joe couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that they were all still playing into the tower¡¯s hands.

    A familiar face appeared over Andras'' shoulder¡ªOtto, his right-hand man, wagging a finger like a scolding parent. Only problem? His target was a dwarf with brows so bushy they looked like caterpillars mid-brawl.

    The dwarf sneered. "Otto, you wanker, keep waving that finger, and I''ll shove it so far up your hole you''ll be choking on it!"

    Otto¡¯s hand clasped the other in front of him and his shoulders dropped. His enthusiasm for the gesture evaporated.

    The outburst seemed to break the tension. Other ascenders started voicing their frustrations.

    "You promised us so much, Andras, but all we¡¯ve got is mana sickness and a dwindling group!"

    ¡°That¡¯s mana sickness for you.¡± Andras brushed nonexistent dust off his shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s only so much I can do. Look at the effort I¡¯ve put into eternity sticks¡ªgiven freely to those in need. You¡¯d all be lost without me. Time will tell if you¡¯re making the right choice.¡± His words oozed with fake sincerity.

    Another voice cut through the crowd. "It¡¯s all fearmongering! You¡¯re controlling us like puppets! I want my respawn token back!"

    Andras¡¯ thin brows snapped together, his gaze darting toward the fifth-floor exit. "Why bite the hand that feeds you?¡± He gestured to the crowd, a protective circle of green hooded loyalists forming around him. He still had his followers, but their numbers were thinning.

    A dwarf wearing a blood-red mask snorted. Splotches of tower blood streaked his orange hoodie like war paint. "We¡¯re not being fed anything but a pack of lies, Andras!"

    The Merry Miners¡¯ leader chimed in, his voice gravelly and mocking. ¡°Tick-tock, tick-tock. Or, better yet¡ªyou can suck my cock.¡± He grabbed his crotch and made an exaggerated gesture, earning jeers and laughs from his faction.

    Andras sighed, packs of eternity sticks appearing in his hands. He waved them towards the weaker-looking ascenders. "Mana poisoning clouds judgment. These will help clear your heads." His voice dipped into that unnervingly persuasive tone.

    A kobold ascender scoffed, stepping forward. "You¡¯re not the only one peddling wares anymore." He tapped his copper-scaled temple. "My fraternity sticks? Better quality, no dependence, and no creepy sales pitch."

    "They make me fart like a demon, but it¡¯s worth it," added a kobold companion, trying to help.

    A sharp jab from the first kobold shut him up.

    Joe exchanged a wary glance with his group. Ryan, standing next to Gaia, looked equally on edge. Gaia wasn¡¯t saying much, but the fire in her eyes was unmistakable¡ªshe¡¯d tear apart anyone who so much as looked at Ryan or Luna wrong. Poor Luna, though. She looked like a shell of her former self, drained and quiet.

    TJ leaned closer to Joe, his voice low. "Feels like we¡¯re seconds away from a brawl. I hate this kind of tension."

    For once, Joe agreed with him. If a fight broke out, it would be chaos. They could protect a few ascenders, but not all of them.

    On the screen, the Lich tilted his head, watching the escalating tension with the curiosity of someone binge-watching a soap opera. His skeletal grin radiated sadistic delight. Joe half-expected Sue Ellen to throw a whiskey glass at J.R., but this wasn¡¯t TV. It was real life¡ªand it was about to go downhill fast.

    A panicked voice rose from the crowd. "I¡¯m on borrowed time! I heard the ascender who cut a hole in the tower wall went missing!"

    ¡°They¡¯re GORED,¡± Andras said sharply. ¡°And you will be, too, if you don¡¯t come to your senses and head to the fifth floor.¡±

    ¡°You lie!¡± The panic grew louder. ¡°They didn¡¯t get GORED¡ªthey escaped! The tower bleeds like us. It can die, and I¡¯m not sticking around when it happens!¡±

    Andras blew a sharp whistle on his flute, silencing the chaos. "You can¡¯t seriously believe that! If you attack the tower, you damn us all!"

    But the damage was done. An ascender wielding a knife moved toward the fleshy wall, determination in his eyes. Joe tensed. This guy is going to do something stupid.

    Andras turned on the charisma again, his voice smooth as silk. "I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you."

    The ascender hesitated, his blade wavering in his grip.

    The leader of the Merry Miners snarled. "Cut the charisma crap, Andras. It wastes our energy resisting it." He gestured to his faction. "We¡¯re not playing your game. Go your way; we¡¯ll go ours."

    At that moment, Grizzle appeared at the entrance, startling the knife-wielding ascender. His hesitation broke, and he slashed at the throbbing, vein-webbed wall.

    The Lich didn¡¯t lift a single bony finger to stop the chaos. He simply stood there, grim fascination etched across his skeletal features. It was like watching a sadistic teacher relish the moment their students realized a "group project" meant only one person was doing all the work¡ªand it wasn¡¯t them.

    Grizzle made a move to pull the knife-wielding ascender away from the throbbing wall, but Gaia blocked him with a shield spell, her tone cutting like a blade. "You want your eyeballs scooped out? Because that¡¯s exactly what¡¯ll happen if you get too close."

    Grizzle hesitated, looking more surprised than offended. Without another word, Gaia grabbed his arm and steered him toward Ryan and the group. He opened his mouth to protest but shut it when more ascenders surged forward, knives in hand, hacking at the fleshy wall with reckless frenzy.

    Joe¡¯s gut churned as blood pooled at their feet, thickening into congealed, gelatinous blobs. It clung to their boots like some unholy pudding, and the attackers suddenly froze, realization dawning. They were stuck.

    The Lich finally spoke, cupping his bony hand where his ear should¡¯ve been. His raspy voice sliced through the rising panic. "Does anyone hear that sound?"

    Joe strained to listen. At first, all he could hear was the muffled chaos of panicked voices. Then it hit¡ªa low, wet sound, cartoonishly comical.

    Blep. Blep. Blep.

    His Quick Wit activated automatically, honing in on the source. Near the oozing wound, blood blisters were forming¡ªswelling grotesquely before popping with a sickening squelch.

    A notification flickered in his vision. He almost dismissed it, but the sender¡¯s name stopped him cold.

    Poke_Master: You can¡¯t stop it. And guess what? It¡¯s coming now.

    Joe¡¯s breath caught in his throat. The sound of the blisters popping had drawn curious ascenders. A few tried to help those stuck in the blood jelly, but it was no use. Others¡ªdumber ones¡ªmoved to poke the blisters.

    Dawn snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. "Don¡¯t act dumber than you look! You¡¯re about to lose a hand if you touch that."

    One ascender sneered, ignoring her. He poked a blister anyway¡ªand immediately shrieked as blood spurted from the stump where his hand used to be.

    "My hand! G-give it back!" he wailed, clutching his bleeding arm.

    Joe locked his gaze on the wall, watching in horror as the man¡¯s severed hand vanished behind a jagged set of bear-sized teeth emerging from the blister.

    Tower defense mechanism. Of course.

    The sight of the bloody stump waving around like a horror movie prop was enough to trigger a mass exodus. Ascenders poured toward the corridor, scrambling for the elevators like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

    Joe opened the party chat:

    Joe: This is only the beginning. Tower defenses are waking up. We need to flank Ryan and Luna. Stay sharp. The elevators are going to be packed. Be ready to fight if you can¡¯t run.

    By the time Joe and his group made it to the corridor, the wall behind them had transformed into a waking nightmare. Hulking figures were taking shape, pressing out of the flesh as if the nightmares had been given bodies. Limbs snaked out, ending in claws sharper than daggers. A grotesque head formed, its empty eyes locking onto the trapped ascenders.

    Someone lashed out with a blade. It might as well have been a butter knife against steel. The fleshy arms gripped the nearest ascender by the shoulders, tearing his limbs off with a sickening rip. Blood sprayed like a gory fountain, and Joe fought the urge to gag.

    He turned away, forcing himself to focus. They had to run. They couldn¡¯t save everyone, but they could save Luna and Ryan. Dawn met his gaze, her expression mirroring his own grim determination.

    The group formed up, Ryan and Luna at the center, and sprinted for the corridor. Hordes of  ascenders were piling into the elevators. All except one, who was flung to the ground by his so-called allies.

    "You¡¯re dead weight, ratling. Scram!" Someone snarled as the elevator doors slammed shut, leaving him trembling with other weaker ascenders cowering in the dim light.

    The corridor stretched out before him, the elevator seeming further and further away.

    Joe pushed past a group of ascenders, throwing a glance over his shoulder. He expected the flesh guardians to give chase, but the corridor remained eerily empty.

    "Get your asses to the elevators!" TJ yelled at a group of ascenders standing frozen with weapons drawn.

    They didn¡¯t move, their eyes wide with terror.

    Light spilled from the elevator as its doors opened again, revealing an empty car. Nearby ascenders rushed in, cramming themselves into the small box. But then Joe caught a scent¡ªsour and metallic, like rotting meat. He turned back, scanning for the source.

    The monstrous guardian appeared, its grotesque limbs tearing through the corridor as it charged toward them.

    Gaia cast a spell, but it ricocheted off the creature¡¯s slick, fleshy skin.

    "It¡¯s speeding up!" Joe shouted.

    The guardian¡¯s jaw unhinged, its gaping maw dripping with thick, oozing saliva.

    "What the hell is it doing?" an ascender yelled, frozen in place.

    TJ roared. "Hold the elevator!"

    Joe grabbed the lone ratfolk to his feet ready to fling him into the elevator along with them.

    But the ascenders inside the elevator had already hit the button, their terror overriding any sense of unity. The doors slammed shut, leaving Joe and the rest of the ascenders to fend for themselves.

    "Fuckity fuck fuck. Mean people suck!" Rose spun her staff. Needlepoint thorns sprouted around its base, readying a water barrier to buy them time.

    Joe¡¯s gaze darted to Dawn as the elevator lights dimmed.

    What the hell do we do now?

 ATC 2 Ch. 11: The Great Escape

    Sweat dripped down Joe¡¯s temple as Rose frantically slammed the elevator button. Behind them, the bear-sized Guardian roared, its heavy footfalls shaking the floor. The elevators weren¡¯t coming back. They needed another way to escape death.

    Joe accessed his encrypted chat.

    Joe: Poppy, why aren¡¯t the lifts working?

    His heart skipped a beat when her reply came through.

    Poppy: Emergency on Floor 4. Defense protocol activated. Hurry, hurry Joe! Stairs not far from the core. More Guardians coming!

    With a surge of adrenaline, Joe pressed Dawn¡¯s back and urged her forward. ¡°Take the lead¡ªget us back to the tower¡¯s core!¡± He spun to the ratfolk trailing behind and tugged the smaller figure closer. He could save one. ¡°You¡¯re coming with us!¡±

    The little ratfolk simply nodded and limped after them.

    They bolted past the motionless elevator doors, their footsteps joined by a swelling crowd of ascenders, all following as if Joe and his crew had the answers¡ªor worse, as if they were being chased by something even deadlier.

    A glance over Joe¡¯s shoulder revealed chaos: the leader of the Merry Miners barreling through the hallway like a human wrecking ball, knocking other ascenders into the walls. Screams filled the air as blood splattered in violent arcs against the ceiling.

    Lagging further behind, the limping ratfolk¡¯s furry cheeks puffed with the effort. His tiny hands gripped his sides like he was holding his guts in. Joe glanced at TJ, their shared look saying what neither of them had to. If the Guardians didn¡¯t tear the poor guy apart, the stampede of ascenders would finish the job.

    Hal¡¯s voice cut into Joe¡¯s mind like a disapproving parent. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about turning back to rescue him. There¡¯s not enough time.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always time,¡± Joe shot back, clenching his fists.

    TJ side-eyed him like he¡¯d sprouted a second head. ¡°You arguing with your imaginary friend again? Fine, I¡¯ll get the furry bastard. You keep moving before someone has to rescue your sorry ass.¡±

    Joe hesitated for half a second, then nodded, sprinting to catch up with the group. He couldn¡¯t resist a quick glance over his shoulder, relief flooding him as he spotted TJ not far behind. The ratfolk was clinging to his back, legs wrapped tight around TJ¡¯s waist, little paws clutching his neck.

    Brian smiled when they caught up. ¡°Well, well. Look who just earned himself a new eternal honor¡ªWorld¡¯s Best Dad.¡±

    TJ huffed, adjusting his machete in one hand while awkwardly patting the ratfolk on the head with the other. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Don¡¯t get used to it, squirt.¡±

    The lightness of the moment shattered as a bone-chilling roar echoed behind them. Joe¡¯s stomach dropped. He didn¡¯t need to look to know the Guardians were gaining ground.

    Enormous and relentless, the hulking guardians swept through the crowd. Joe¡¯s stomach churned as he witnessed one rush past three terrified ascenders only to take hold of a fourth who was cowering against a wall.

    Joe narrowed his eyes, the guy¡¯s hoodie was smeared in the tower¡¯s blood. His screams died as the guardian¡¯s jaw unhinged and swallowed him whole.

    Dawn skidded to a stop at the edge of the hall near the core, shaking her head. ¡°Nothing! We¡¯ve circled the whole damn thing¡ªthere¡¯s no stairs!¡±

    The sound of her voice pulled Rose out of her horrified trance.

    ¡°Where the hell are the stairs?¡± TJ growled, machete raised like he was ready to hack the problem into submission. The ratfolk on his back whimpered, burying his face in TJ¡¯s shoulder. TJ sighed and gave the little guy another awkward pat. ¡°Relax, buddy. You¡¯re not rat stew yet.¡±

    Joe activated his Quick Wit ability, scanning the chaotic corridor as more ascenders crammed into every crevice, their panic amplifying the chaos. His pulse pounded in his ears as he gasped, ¡°They¡¯re targeting specific people. I haven¡¯t seen a single ratfolk get eaten.¡±

    Rose snorted, brushing a streak of blood off her cheek. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not waiting around to see if I¡¯m next.¡±

    ¡°Blood-marked!¡± Brian¡¯s voice boomed above the crowd as he pointed across the corridor. ¡°It¡¯s the ones who cut the wall¡ªthey¡¯re the ones getting targeted by the guardians!¡±

    Joe¡¯s brow furrowed as he shook his head. ¡°Not all of them.¡± His gaze darted to the ratfolk still clutching to TJ¡¯s back, his wide eyes pleading silently for protection.

    A notification flashed in his vision.

    Poppy: Map updated. Go, go now. Don¡¯t wait.

    Dawn¡¯s eyes flicked to the left. Without a word, she darted to a jagged corner of the corridor and dropped to her knees. Her fingers found a bony protrusion near the floor, tugging hard until a hidden shaft hissed open with a suctioning sound. She gagged, covering her nose. ¡°Ugh! Smells worse than moldy cheese and slimy cornhash!¡±

    TJ leapt to her side, taking a deep breath and exhaling with a grin. ¡°Smells like morning stew to me. Thank the gods my memories override these new human senses.¡±

    ¡°No time for nostalgia. Move it or lose it!¡± Gaia ignited her mana bracelet, casting a soft light as the Blanche Brigade and Titan Slayers ducked into the shaft. One by one, they disappeared up the spiraling staircase, leaving what little carnage behind that didn''t follow.

    Before they reached the top of the stairwell, frantic footsteps echoed far below. Joe¡¯s blood turned to ice. The idea that their actions might redirect the Guardians¡¯ rampage to the fifth floor churned his stomach.

    Exiting into the fifth-floor corridor, Joe took a deep breath, scanning left and right. The air here was thicker, heavy with the faint, sour tang of decay. Dawn brushed past him, her fiery hair tied back, her eyes distant as she scrolled through her user interface map.

    ¡°Which way to the common room?¡± Joe asked, his voice sharper than intended. The common room was supposed to be a safe zone¡ªif the Guardians followed, it¡¯d be their only chance to survive, as long as no one cut the wall on the fifth floor.

    Dawn frowned, her fingers twitching as she adjusted her overlays. The rest of the Titan Slayers and Blanche Brigade spilled into the corridor behind them, spreading out.

    After a tense moment, Dawn pointed to the right. ¡°This way.¡± Her voice was steady, but her hurried steps gave her away. She moved quickly, guiding Luna and Ryan ahead while the others followed.

    TJ stumbled out of the stairwell, the ratfolk still clinging to his back like a kid on a piggyback ride. The little guy¡¯s fur was matted, his whiskers trembling.

    Joe stepped closer, his stomach twisting as he caught sight of dark red streaks smeared across the ratfolk¡¯s paws. ¡°Did you attack the tower walls?¡±

    The ratfolk froze, his wide eyes darting between them. ¡°N-no! I couldn¡¯t get into the lift. I panicked¡ªthought I could burrow into the wall and hide.¡±

    Brian groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°You¡¯re blood-marked. The tower doesn¡¯t care about intent. You¡¯ve got its blood on you, and now the Guardians will treat you the same as anyone who attacked it.¡±

    Joe shook his head. Tag, you¡¯re it. Terminator-style.

    Rose shifted uncomfortably, gripping her staff. ¡°Let¡¯s not wait to find out if they¡¯ll turn on us too. The common room¡¯s supposed to be a safe zone¡ªthey can¡¯t attack us there, right?¡±

    Brian hesitated, stroking his goatee. ¡°Everything I¡¯ve read says it¡¯s true. I¡¯m 99% sure.¡±

    Dawn raised an eyebrow. ¡°What about the other 1%?¡±

    Joe exchanged a knowing glance with Brian. ¡°That accounts for the Lich. He¡¯s about as changeable as a long range weather forecast.¡±

    Ryan and the Blanche Brigade exchanged a few confused glances, but most of them nodded like they got the gist.

    Dawn¡¯s gaze flicked back to her map, her pace quickening. She led the way down the corridor, guiding the group as they trailed behind. Without the Willy Wonka-style elevators dropping them neatly into position, they were left stumbling through the fifth floor like tourists lost on a subway.

    ¡°How much further?¡± the ratfolk whimpered, his voice thin and shaky.

    ¡°Nearly there,¡± Dawn replied a little too quickly.

    Joe arched an eyebrow. Was she being honest, or just trying to keep the little guy from freaking out?

    ¡°Um, I¡­I need to go pee,¡± the ratfolk blurted, his voice rising an octave. His paws twitched against TJ¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°Hold it,¡± TJ barked, his machete swinging loosely in one hand. ¡°A bathroom break could get us all killed. You¡¯ll go when we get to the common room.¡±

    ¡°But I need to go now! I¡¯ve a sensitive bladder, it¡¯s the size of a walnut!¡± He squirmed, his voice cracking with desperation. ¡°All the stress is playing havoc with it!¡±

    ¡°Your brain¡¯s the size of a walnut too. If you want to get down and pee, you¡¯re on your own.¡± TJ tapped his machete on the wall. Joe caught the look in TJ¡¯s eye. It was an empty threat.

    Heavy footsteps echoed behind them, cutting the argument short.

    Joe¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°Listen,¡± he hissed, freezing in place. The group stilled, tension crackling like static.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    It was unmistakable now¡ªthe rhythmic pounding of boots and the uneven gasps of breath.

    The group picked up their pace, the ratfolk bouncing with every hurried step TJ took.

    Ascenders, jacked up on adrenaline and pure fear, were closing in fast.

    A gruff voice shouted from somewhere behind them. ¡°Fupa, no! Don¡¯t be a hero¡± The words were followed by the unmistakable sounds of a struggle¡ªscuffling feet, the sharp clash of weapons, and guttural cries of pain that tore through the air like a blade.

    Joe turned his head, his mind racing. Whatever was happening behind them was catching up fast. If they didn¡¯t figure out a plan, they¡¯d be next.

    Around the bend, ascenders stumbled into view, their faces pale and panicked. Behind them, shadows shifted, and the low hum of the walls turned into a throaty growl.

    Joe¡¯s mind raced. Seconds. They had seconds.

    ¡°Go,¡± he said to Dawn. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up.¡±

    Dawn hesitated, her grip on her blade tightening. ¡°Joe¡ª¡±

    ¡°Go,¡± he insisted, louder this time. ¡°Keep Ryan and Luna safe.¡±

    ¡°Hell no, not without me.¡± TJ¡¯s machete gleamed as he stepped forward, his ratfolk passenger clinging to his neck like a lifeline. With a swift motion, TJ eased the trembling creature from his back and handed him off to Brian. ¡°Here. Go with Uncle Brian.¡±

    Brian took the ratfolk with a grunt, hoisting him onto his shoulders like a sack of flour. The ratfolk¡¯s wide eyes darted, his small claws gripping Brian¡¯s collar as though his life depended on it.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t pee on me.¡± Brian glanced upward with a resigned sigh.

    ¡°Weapons are useless. We¡¯ve got to use our brains.¡± Joe activated Quick Wit. At Level 4, his Shadow Step ability was capable of increased range. He hoped it¡¯d extend to those who were near him.

    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± TJ shifted his grip on his machete, his expression grim. ¡°I¡¯ve got concepts of a plan, but that won¡¯t do shit to save anyone. So, what¡¯ve you got in mind?¡±

    Joe quickly explained as shadows curled around their forms.

    ¡°Hope fortunes on our side.¡± TJ stepped as light as he could given his size. The walls rippled behind them, and the low growl grew into a roar. Joe¡¯s breath caught as he and TJ approached the carnage. The first hulking Guardian loomed into view over the heads of what was left of the Merry Miner Brotherhood.

    Its eyes glowed, dead and soulless.

    Something else grabbed Joe¡¯s attention. The guardian¡¯s cheeks bulged and shifted, grotesquely distorted like an overgrown hamster jacked up on steroids. Its black lips bunched tight, almost like they¡¯d been sewn shut. The flesh peeled back with a gruesome schlop, revealing something worse: a saliva-coated hand.

    Joe¡¯s stomach lurched. It had to belong to Fupa. The Merry Miner¡¯s clawed fingers sizzled and bubbled, coated in whatever acid-like secretion dripped from the guardian¡¯s mouth.

    Memories from a half-remembered biology class hit Joe. Digestion begins in the mouth. Of course it did. Tower guardians didn¡¯t just consume their prey; they melted them down with turbocharged saliva.

    Nearby, the leader of the Merry Miners fought to hold back the last remaining member of his faction, his muscular arms shaking with the effort. ¡°He¡¯s gone. Nothin¡¯ we can do for him!¡± The dwarf¡¯s voice cracked, but his resolve didn¡¯t. He yanked his companion out of the guardian¡¯s range, dragging him toward safety.

    The smaller miner struggled free, tears of frustration mixing with the streaks of blood on his face. He flung a fiery blast at the guardian¡¯s bloated belly. ¡°I hope ya choke on his mingey hair, ya lousy shagger!¡±

    The blast fizzled on impact, a useless spark against the guardian¡¯s thick hide. In response, the creature¡¯s fleshy mouth slackened, and Fupa¡¯s bony arm flopped free in a grotesque reflex, dangling for a moment before being slurped back inside like a wet noodle.

    Joe pressed his hand to his mouth, fighting the urge to retch.

    Slurp slurp, motherf¡ª

    Joe gulped, his stomach doing flips. His thoughts veered dangerously close to the AI from one of his favorite novels back on Earth.

    TJ¡¯s voice cut in, grim and humorless. ¡°Well, he did say he likes it nasty.¡±

    Joe¡¯s Shadow Step ability had kept them unnoticed until now. All around, eyes began snapping toward them.

    Joe sucked in a breath. ¡°Think that¡¯s our cue to leave.¡± He nodded to TJ. ¡°You know what to do.¡±

    TJ nodded and bolted back the way they came, his steps nearly silent. Joe let out his breath and pulled up the chat window in his interface.

    Joe: Hey, Poke_Master, got any insight on why these guardians are so damn unstoppable? Doesn¡¯t matter what level we are¡ªour only options are run or die.

    The reply came almost instantly.

    Poke_Master: Remember our deal. Attacking the tower head-on is madness if you do it alone. What you¡¯re seeing now is a mere taste of how it defends itself. I see you and TJ have a plan to slow the guardian down.

    Joe: You think it¡¯ll work?

    Poke_Master: Better odds than brute force. You saw what happened to the Merry Miners¡ªthose guys could rip a bear apart bare-handed, and it didn¡¯t help them.

    Joe closed the chat, his attention shifting to the corridor ahead. TJ was already waiting, pacing back and forth.

    ¡°Ready?¡± Joe jogged to meet him.

    TJ gave a curt nod, scanning the shadows with sharp eyes.

    Joe didn¡¯t see any sign of the soldier-green totems TJ had in his inventory, but he trusted him. If the protection array worked as promised, it might buy them enough time to regroup with the others and make it to the safe room.

    The sound of a distant roar made Joe¡¯s chest tighten. Another yell from behind confirmed what he already suspected¡ªanother Merry Miner had fallen.

    ¡°Outta my way!¡± a gruff voice bellowed.

    Joe barely had time to sidestep as the leader of the Merry Miners barreled past, his broad shoulders brushing the shimmering green barrier as he sprinted through. The protection array flared like a bubble touched by oil, but it held firm.

    Joe and TJ exchanged a look, then took off at a dead sprint. The reek of the guardian¡¯s breath was thick and sour, spurring them forward.

    They darted through the barrier. Joe¡¯s pulse pounded in his ears. If the array failed, they were done for. TJ¡¯s totems weren¡¯t system-bound, a relic from his homeworld, but there were no guarantees.

    Behind them, the guardian roared, an ear-splitting sound that rattled Joe¡¯s skull. He risked a glance back. Relief washed over him as the beast slammed into the barrier, its claws skidding off the shimmering surface. The array held.

    "Good to know it works against guardians too." Joe caught his breath.

    Up ahead, the Merry Miner leader had slowed, his shoulders heaving as he turned to face them.

    ¡°If this bastard tries anything¡­¡± TJ muttered, not loosening his grip on his machete.

    ¡°Relax, I ain¡¯t gonna fight ya.¡± The dwarf grunted, his tone rough but void of malice. ¡°Lost my map guy, so for all I know, I¡¯m stuck in the asshole of this tower. But I¡¯m willing to bet you lot know where you¡¯re going, don¡¯tcha?¡±

    TJ looked like he was ready to go through the dwarf for a shortcut.

    Joe stepped in, raising a hand to stop him. ¡°We¡¯re heading to the common room, same as you. You can tag along¡ªon one condition.¡±

    The dwarf¡¯s eyes darkened, his stance shifting as if daring Joe to push. ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking permission.¡±

    Joe held firm, his voice steady. ¡°I know. But you¡¯re on your own now, and we both know how we feel about Andras. You¡¯ll want to hear my terms.¡±

    The dwarf grunted but didn¡¯t protest further allowing Joe to outline the terms.

    They took off in a sprint toward the common room. Joe pulled up Dawn in the chat for directions.

    ¡°How long will that barrier hold?¡± the dwarf asked TJ as they ran, his tone edged with unease.

    TJ kept his focus forward. ¡°Long enough, I hope, to get us all to safety.¡±

    The dwarf snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll get in first, seeing as I¡¯m a green zoner. No hard feelings.¡±

    Joe swallowed his frustration at the elitist nonsense, focusing instead on the path ahead. According to Dawn, they weren¡¯t far. Joe''s heart lifted at the sight of Dawn approaching the common room entrance. The others following close behind her.

    ¡°Ryan, Luna, you¡¯re up first,¡± Gaia ordered, gesturing for them to step forward.

    Ryan hesitated, stepping back to let Luna pass, but the Merry Miner leader barreled ahead.

    Dawn stepped up, blocking his path with an icy glare.

    Rose joined her, gripping her staff. ¡°I¡¯d say dirt before the broom, but in this case, I¡¯d make an exception.¡±

    The dwarf sneered and jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. ¡°Out of my way, elf. Waste more time arguing, and you¡¯ll have one pissed-off guardian breathing down your necks.¡±

    He reached out to shove Luna aside, but Gaia stepped in, her eyes blazing. ¡°Her name is Luna,¡± she snapped. ¡°Lay a hand on her, and you¡¯ll be dead before it gets near her.¡±

    The dwarf turned to Joe, his expression twisting into a mockery of camaraderie. ¡°Hey, Joe. You just gonna stand there and let a member from another faction threaten me?¡±

    Anger churned in Joe¡¯s gut, but he forced himself to stay calm. ¡°Not now. Let Luna in first¡ªshe¡¯s been through hell already.¡±

    The dwarf crossed his arms, stubborn as a boulder.

    ¡°What in the name of a titan¡¯s asshole are you playing at?¡± TJ growled, stepping forward with his machete glinting at his side.

    The dwarf smirked, raising his hands as if in surrender. ¡°Hey, we¡¯re on the same side now.¡±

    Brows shot up all around.

    ¡°What the hell does he mean?¡± Dawn asked, her focus snapping back to the dwarf.

    ¡°I¡¯m an inactive member of the Titan Slayers,¡± he said, his tone casual, like he¡¯d just announced he used to play for the local sports team.

    Joe¡¯s stomach lurched as he realized too late that they¡¯d been so focused on the argument, they hadn¡¯t noticed the guardian creeping closer. Its grotesque form loomed out of the rippling, living wall, its movements smooth, almost like it was mimicking Joe¡¯s stealth skill.

    Joe¡¯s instincts kicked in. He lunged for the common room entrance, which hissed open in response. ¡°Get in, everyone!¡±

    The Merry Miner didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He barreled through, shoving past anyone in his way. Gaia followed, guiding Luna inside with her protective hand never leaving the kobold¡¯s shoulder.

    But the guardian ignored them all, its focus narrowing on Brian, who still carried the trembling ratfolk on his shoulders.

    Tag, you¡¯re it, Joe thought grimly as dread coiled in his gut.

    ¡°Brian!¡± he shouted, but the warning came too late.

    The guardian lunged, its cavernous mouth yawning open as if to swallow them whole. Joe scrambled forward, his body moving before his brain could catch up, but Ryan beat him there.

    Ryan threw himself between Brian and the beast, arms outstretched. ¡°Everyone, get inside!¡± he barked, his voice like a whip crack.

    The guardian slowed, its hulking form swaying with unnatural grace.

    ¡°Back off!¡± Ryan growled, puffing out his chest and spreading his arms wider, trying to look as large and threatening as possible.

    Joe fumbled for a smoke pellet, tossing it toward the guardian. The acrid cloud billowed up, obscuring its grotesque form. Joe darted around the creature, grabbing Brian by the arm and hauling him toward the entrance.

    But as the smoke cleared, the strangest thing happened.

    The guardian froze, its snout stopping mere inches from Ryan¡¯s face. It tilted its massive head, sniffing the air. Its fleshy nostrils flared, and then it recoiled, as if the smell of Ryan was somehow repellent.

    Ryan leaned back, his nose wrinkling as he waved a hand in front of his face. ¡°You need a breath mint, pal,¡± he muttered, his voice wavering despite his attempt at humor.

    Joe didn¡¯t waste the opportunity. Guiding a dazed Brian and the trembling ratfolk to the entrance, he shoved them through. The transparent door hissed shut behind them, leaving only Ryan and the guardian outside.

    Ryan stood motionless, his scaled arm raised. The guardian¡¯s gaze locked onto it, its head tilting with curiosity.

    ¡°Go back to where you came from,¡± Ryan commanded, his voice steady despite the fear flickering in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯re no threat to you.¡±

    For a tense moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the guardian began to back away.

    TJ let out a long breath as the creature pressed itself against the wall. Its grotesque form rippled and melted, seamlessly blending into the living, breathing surface until it vanished.

    ¡°Holy shit, that was amazing,¡± Grizzle said, his voice breaking the silence. ¡°I¡¯ve got a theory about what just happened¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hold that thought,¡± Joe cut in, his gaze scanning the corridor. His pulse was still pounding, and he wasn¡¯t about to let his guard down.

    Ryan looked pale and shaken, his legs unsteady beneath him.

    ¡°You can tell us all about it once we¡¯re safely inside the orange zone common room,¡± Joe helped Ryan across the threshold.

 ATC 2 Ch. 12: Ideas of Hope

    TJ rushed to Joe¡¯s side, helping him support Ryan to a nearby seat. The man practically collapsed into it with a heavy sigh, his face drained of color. Grizzle was already hovering, his expression pinched with concern, while Gaia focused on tending to Luna nearby.

    TJ knelt beside Brian, scanning him for any injuries. His attention flicked to the little ratfolk perched on Brian¡¯s shoulder, doing the same for the tiny figure.

    Brian leaned back, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°I¡¯m fine, seriously. Stop fussing.¡± He reached into his pouch and handed the little ratfolk a healing potion.

    The ratfolk¡¯s glossy black eyes lit up, and he downed the potion in a single gulp. He wiggled his furry legs, grinning wide. ¡°Thank you!¡± He flung his tiny arms around Brian¡¯s neck in a tight hug.

    TJ barely acknowledged the moment. His brow furrowed as he leaned closer. ¡°No need to fuss? That monster guardian went full aggro on your ass, and I wanna know why.¡± His gaze turned to the ratfolk, narrowing. ¡°You still got tower blood on your paws, don¡¯t you?¡±

    The little ratfolk blinked, shrinking under TJ¡¯s scrutiny. ¡°I¡­ I think so.¡±

    ¡°Then you best go wash it off.¡± TJ¡¯s tone left no room for argument.

    ¡°Good idea,¡± the ratfolk squeaked. Trembling, he hopped down and scampered off, his eyes darting at the walls like he expected a guardian to burst through at any moment.

    As soon as the ratfolk disappeared, Joe sank into a chair across from Brian. He studied him for a moment before speaking. ¡°I think it was targeting you.¡±

    Brian rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°I was thinking the same. But it wasn¡¯t blood-marked targeting. It has to be something else.¡±

    Grizzle draped a reassuring arm around Ryan, his face a mix of concern and curiosity. ¡°Let me take a look at that arm.¡±

    Ryan hesitated, then gingerly placed his scaled arm on the table. Grizzle leaned in, pulling a small monocle from his pocket and slotting it into place over his eye. He squinted, his gaze narrowing as he examined the ridged and slimy surface. ¡°Hmmmmm¡­¡±

    Ryan shifted in his seat. ¡°Is that a good ¡®hmmmm¡¯ or a bad ¡®hmmmm¡¯?¡±

    Grizzle didn¡¯t look up. His fingers hovered over the scales, careful not to touch directly. ¡°Turn your hand over.¡±

    Ryan straightened in his seat. "Well, break it to me¡ªhow long have I got?"

    Grizzle¡¯s gaze lingered on Ryan¡¯s shoulder, his expression unreadable. He didn¡¯t reply immediately.

    ¡°Say something. Anything,¡± TJ snapped. ¡°Don¡¯t leave us all hanging.¡±

    Grizzle finally exhaled, his tone steady. ¡°If we do nothing, the transformation will be complete in a matter of a few days.¡±

    ¡°So what are we going to do? You¡¯ve got a cure, right?¡± TJ¡¯s hands clenched the edge of the table.

    ¡°No,¡± Grizzle admitted. ¡°Quite frankly, I¡¯m not sure there is one¡ªat least not one I can make in time with the resources at my disposal.¡±

    Joe¡¯s heart sank. He glanced at Ryan, who sat in stunned silence, the weight of the news pressing visibly on his shoulders.

    ¡°All is not lost,¡± Grizzle added quickly. ¡°I may not have a cure, but I do have something that can slow the progression.¡±

    Grizzle pocketed his monocle and handed a bottle to Ryan, its thick, viscous liquid trailing down the sides. "Bottoms up, if you want to slow the progression."

    Ryan grimaced, popping the cork. The others stepped back as a white cloud of fumes wafted from the potion. He didn¡¯t hesitate, chugging it down in one go. Lowering the bottle, he coughed and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I won¡¯t even begin to describe how that tasted." He shoved the cork back into the bottle and returned it to Grizzle. Turning to Luna, he added, "If this works, I¡¯d like to start leveling up now. Care to join me?"

    The wrinkles around Luna¡¯s eyes deepened as she smiled. "I¡¯m going to gather refreshments and rest so my mana is full before leveling up." She moved toward a nearby group of gray-haired, weathered ascenders, blending in easily with their ranks.

    Joe crossed his arms and nodded at Ryan. "Grizzle said he had an idea about why the Guardians attacked the way they did. How in the world did you stop them? I thought they were targeting specific people. What¡¯s your theory?"

    Grizzle lifted Ryan¡¯s arm, carefully inspecting the faint green scales creeping up his skin. He rolled Ryan¡¯s sleeve higher, then guided his arm toward the wall. Small, bubble-like formations rippled outward near Ryan¡¯s hand, as if reacting to his presence.

    "As I thought." Grizzle hummed.

    Ryan yanked his arm back, frowning. "I don¡¯t want to get any more infected than I already am."

    Grizzle shook his head. "I don¡¯t think you will¡ªnot since taking the cloud potion. Your body¡¯s been enhanced. If you find the right part of the tower, I think you can interact with it."

    TJ furrowed his brow. "Interact with it? Like, as a weapon?"

    Grizzle nodded, but before he could explain further, a deafening roar echoed behind them. A guardian surged to life, its massive form materializing out of the tower¡¯s floor.

    Ryan twisted around, raising his arms in a gesture of surrender. "I¡¯ve got this! Stand down. Leave them alone!"

    The guardian hesitated, then merged back into the floor as swiftly as it had appeared, leaving a small, glinting tooth behind. Ryan bent down and picked it up, inspecting it as he spoke. "I leveled up when I stopped that guardian from entering the staircase, and now I¡¯ve gained another level. Whatever this infection is, it¡¯s letting me advance my priest skills faster. It¡¯s tied to the tower somehow."

    Joe frowned, still twisting the cord of his hoodie. "So you can access the tower and control parts of it. But if the guardians are targeting those who damage the tower, why did it come after Brian?"

    Rose shrugged. "I thought TJ provoked it."

    TJ shook his head, glaring. "If it wasn¡¯t for me, that guardian would¡¯ve eaten Brian alive."

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked between them. "They don¡¯t even eat ratfolk. They¡¯re targeting people who damage the tower¡ªlike attacking the source of an infection. But Brian¡¯s the only one of us who¡¯s been exposed to the Touch of Madness."

    "And he¡¯s the only one who was GORED and brought back to life," Gaia brushed her fingertips against her sleeve. "You can thank me again for that."

    Joe sighed. "I trust the Time Hacker more than the Lich. If we trigger the tower¡¯s defenses by cutting into it, we¡¯ll get more Guardians. The Time Hacker warned us to be prepared¡ªbut I don¡¯t think he anticipated Ryan being able to control parts of the tower. We just need to level up and stay smart. Don¡¯t attack the tower unless we¡¯re ready."

    Rose tilted her head at Ryan. "Since you¡¯ve leveled up, can you open that loot box now? Maybe there¡¯s something in there that can stop you from getting more corrupted."

    Ryan pulled the box from his inventory, its medallion-adorned exterior glowing. He shook his head and handed it to her. "I can¡¯t open it. You found it, so I guess it¡¯s bound to you."

    TJ sniffed the air and grinned as Ryan handed the box to Rose. ¡°I bet you stored that loot box next to Scaldera¡¯s eggs. The whiff of brimstone and rancid troll milk takes me back to my first hatchling trial by fire.¡±

    He looked downright nostalgic. Everyone else grimaced at the smell. It was like a troll with stomach issues had a bad curry night. It made Joe wonder if Scaldera¡¯s eggs were turning bad in Ryan¡¯s inventory. She was one of the pair of titan bosses they¡¯d killed on the second floor. With everything they had to deal with since then, Joe had almost forgotten Ryan had her looted eggs in his inventory. Whether they were still useful or not was something they¡¯d deal with later.

    Rose showed no sign she¡¯d heard a word out of TJ¡¯s mouth, her intense gaze was locked on Ryan. She placed a firm hand on his shoulder, her expression darkening. "Thanks, but it doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re not opening it now. There¡¯s a system message¡ªit¡¯s cryptic as hell. Check the alliance chat."

    [System Message: I want to hold your attention, so I¡¯m not going to give you the answer. I don¡¯t just want you to find the answer¡ªI want you to need it. Revisit the Lagoon.]

    Rose let out a long sigh. "No way am I going back to Floor 4 for answers."

    Gaia raised an eyebrow. "I¡¯ll go for you. I¡¯m the best at managing mana poisoning."

    TJ smirked, giving Gaia a playful shove. "While you¡¯re down there, grab my kobold totems, will you?"

    ¡°I¡¯m not your mother.¡± Gaia gave him a scornful look. ¡°Pick up your own damn toys.¡±

    Joe stepped in quickly, aiming to diffuse the tension. "What TJ meant to say is they¡¯re not far from the stairwell on this floor. With the elevators probably still out of commission, you¡¯d be passing them anyway if you take the stairs down. Those totems might actually come in handy against the next batch of monsters."

    Gaia sighed, her gaze flicking between Joe and TJ. "Fine. Since you put it like that, I¡¯ll use the stairs and pick them up on the way."

    TJ opened his mouth, muttering something under his breath about how they weren¡¯t toys, but much to Joe¡¯s relief, he let the matter drop.

    Joe turned his attention back to his alliance chat interface.

    Joe: Poppy, can you give us more information?

    His chest tightened as he waited for her response.

    Joe: Go incognito.

    Still no answer.

    Why the hell¡¯s she not answering?

    Gaia¡¯s worried look broke him from his own worries.

    ¡°Get some rest while I¡¯m gone, you hear me.¡± Gaia directed a firm look at Ryan.

    Ryan smiled, giving his belly a pat. ¡°Food first, then rest.¡±

    She clicked her tongue, then turned to Joe, her expression softening. ¡°Please remind him if he forgets.¡±

    Joe nodded, watching as she stood. The light from the room caught her hair, creating a faint halo effect. She glanced around the common room, and Joe noticed the other ascenders casting quick, nervous glances her way before hurriedly looking away. It was like they couldn¡¯t endure the presence of someone who still carried the aura of an intimidating goddess. Maybe, in her mind, that¡¯s exactly what she still was.

    Joe¡¯s thoughts wandered. What would Gaia do when the tower climb came to an end¡ªif she survived, if any of them did? Would she ever be content in a human form after living an eternity as a powerful goddess?

    As she walked away, something else caught his attention. The Merry Miner dwarf¡ªMerv¡ªwas the only ascender still watching her leave. He sat alone, nursing what looked like a pint of mud water. Joe had so many questions about that guy.

    He knew the risks of having such a wild card as an inactive member of their faction, but he was banking on two things: the dwarf¡¯s loyalty to his fallen brothers and his clear hatred for Andras. Joe glanced at Dawn, Rose, Brian, and TJ. Now all he had to do was convince them it was the right decision.

    TJ, Rose, and Grizzle busied themselves fetching food and drink for the table. Dawn, however, slid into the seat beside Joe, her movements deliberate.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to say what the others haven¡¯t yet,¡± she began, her gaze fixed on the dwarf with his permanent scowl.

    Joe tensed, already bracing for the words.

    ¡°What the hell were you thinking letting him join our faction as an inactive member? And why the hell didn¡¯t you wait to ask us first?¡± Her tone was sharp, but the hurt that flickered in her eyes told Joe this wasn¡¯t just anger¡ªit was disappointment.

    ¡°I know I should have asked.¡± Joe twisted the cord on his hoodie. ¡°But I swear I had good reason. Ever hear the expression, ¡®strike while the iron is hot¡¯?¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change the fact that guy¡¯s got full-on murderhobo tendencies.¡± She lifted her chin. ¡°And for the record, I¡¯m older than I look, Joe. I heard that expression when you were probably still running around in nappies.¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow at her, but he wasn¡¯t entirely surprised. It was something he¡¯d suspected since she¡¯d shared her vision with him on the second floor.

    ¡°He might be a loose cannon, but I saw an opportunity. I took it while he was still brimming with rage at Andras and grief for his men. If he was against us, we¡¯d have to constantly watch our backs. And he knows things about Andras¡ªthings we can use.¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯re keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?¡± Dawn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°That¡¯s bullshit. Sure, it works sometimes, but more often than not, it¡¯s a false sense of security. You start believing their lies, and next thing you know, you¡¯ve got a knife in your back.¡±

    ¡°We want the same things right now.¡± Joe dropped the cord and rested his hands on the table. ¡°And he was loyal to his men¡ªdamn loyal.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°We¡¯re not the same as those scumbags. We don¡¯t rampage through anyone who gets in our way. The Merry Miners had a reputation, Joe. They bonded over their body count.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach twisted with regret. Before he could respond, the little ratfolk returned, wringing his paws as he searched the room for Brian and TJ like a lost child looking for his parents.

    How had someone so timid survived this long? Had he relied on a racial boon or been under the protection of a faction? Maybe it was like Andras claimed with Lucky, keeping him around for his Scavenger¡¯s Luck trait until he stopped being useful.

    Dawn placed a hand over Joe¡¯s, drawing his attention back. Her smile was sad but kind. ¡°We won¡¯t cry over spilled milk. What¡¯s done is done. We¡¯ll stay sharp when he¡¯s around. For what it¡¯s worth, I hope you¡¯re right, and he¡¯s worth the risk.¡±

    Joe nodded, appreciating her willingness to move forward even though she didn¡¯t agree with him. Friendships were complicated like that, especially when survival was at stake.

    Dawn turned to the ratfolk, her voice lightening. ¡°I hope you¡¯re hungry.¡±

    The little guy patted his belly and licked his lips with an enthusiastic nod.

    ¡°Go ahead.¡± Joe nodded to the ratfolk. ¡°I¡¯m going to see if I can get ahold of Poppy.¡±

    Finally, the kaiju danced across his vision at the mention of her name. ¡°Hi-hi, Ohana Joe!¡±

    Dawn guided the ratfolk away.

    ¡°Poppy, can you give us more information on this loot box from the lagoon? You can dress the part if you need.¡±

    The avatar¡¯s eyes glossed over as she glanced downward, her tail curling around. ¡°No more hat. Master Lich not like it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We¡¯re still Ohana, and that means more than the fedora. Anything you can tell me?¡±

    She spun in a circle. ¡°Not me. But you know who.¡±

    Joe drummed the table. ¡°Thanks.¡± As he pulled up the virtual store, he glanced back at Poppy as she began to dance out of his vision. ¡°I want to warn you¡­about the lich. I hope the lich has dealt with his phylactery.¡±

    Poppy nodded. ¡°Reach the top Joe. I want you to win-win.¡±

 ATC 2 Ch. 13: Got Your Back

    TJ and Dawn returned with trays stacked high with food, and Grizzle passed around sachets of condiments like they were sacred relics. The little ratfolk grabbed an impressive haul, tearing into the packets and swallowing them wrapper and all. Joe blinked, trying not to let his jaw hang open at the sight.

    Dawn chuckled, sliding a few more sachets to the center of the table out of his reach. ¡°Is that something you liked in your past life? Oh, and I didn¡¯t catch your name earlier.¡±

    The ratfolk scratched the side of his head, his cartoonishly large ears flattening. ¡°I¡¯m Robyn. That¡¯s about all I can remember. But tomato ketchup? I¡¯ve always loved it. Goes with everything, or delicious all on its own. No one else here seems to agree, though.¡±

    TJ gave him a thumbs-up, reaching for a bright yellow packet with a flaming skull on it. ¡°I¡¯m more of a mustard guy myself. Haven¡¯t tried eating it straight from the packet, but hey, first time for everything.¡± He ripped the packet open and squirted its contents into his mouth. His face reddened, beads of sweat forming on his upper lip, but his grin widened. ¡°Woo! Pretty sure that murdered half my taste buds, but worth it.¡±

    Robyn¡¯s face lit up, his ears perking. He looked genuinely touched, like no one had ever really listened to him before.

    Joe leaned forward, gesturing toward the ratfolk¡¯s healed leg, his orange pants shredded. ¡°How¡¯d you get separated from your faction? Was it after the injury?¡±

    Robyn¡¯s ears drooped again, and his voice wavered. ¡°Eh...it¡¯s kind of a long story. I was a square peg trying to fit in a round hole, I guess. They ¡®accidently¡¯ left me behind on the third floor. After I got hurt on this floor, the leader admitted what I knew all along. He said I was useless. Told me all ratfolk are unless we¡¯ve got a racial boon.¡±

    Dawn frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t have Scavenger¡¯s Luck?¡±

    He scowled, shaking his head. ¡°Nope. Thanks for the drink, though.¡± He took the water she¡¯d offered. ¡°Not all ratfolk have that boon, you know. It¡¯s rare, more like a myth. Most of us are what folks here call ¡®squibs.¡¯ That¡¯s me.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s expression softened. She glanced around the table. ¡°If everyone here agrees, you¡¯re welcome to join our faction.¡±

    Robyn froze, his paws tightening around the glass. ¡°Seriously?¡±

    Joe could see the disbelief on his face, like he¡¯d never been given a genuine offer before. Brian gave him a look and sent a message in the party chat.

    Brian: I¡¯ve ran a quick background check. He used to belong to the Kupla Faction. They weren¡¯t friendly with Andras Alliance but they did have a powerful druid class leader who must have had some use for our little ratfolk friend. He is factionless so we can recruit him as an inactive member.

    Dawn: He is very grateful to TJ and you. I say we use that to our advantage.

    TJ: How?

    Dawn: Act like his guardians. He responded well to that, and we can assign him an important role as scout. Ultimately, he¡¯ll be keeping tabs on Merv for us.

    Joe: That could get him killed.

    Dawn: I can help with that. Paladin of a rat god remember?

    Joe broke from the chat and looked at every member of the Titan Slayers until they all gave their nod of approval. He smiled, turning to Robyn. ¡°Welcome to the Titan Slayers.¡±

    The little guy practically danced on the spot squeaking. ¡°Thank you, thank you, thank you. You won¡¯t regret it. Anything you need me to do, consider it done.¡±

    His high pitched voice gave Joe an instant headache. It must have affected Ryan too. Across the table, Ryan winced and slowly stood, color returning to his cheeks.

    ¡°Time to check on Luna.¡± Ryan rubbed his temples.

    ¡°And get some rest,¡± Joe added with a smirk.

    Ryan chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry I will, I¡¯m not about to face Gaia¡¯s wrath.¡±

    TJ smirked over his cup of water. ¡°We need you back to full strength. That fifth floor titan isn¡¯t going to take itself down.¡±

    Joe took the opportunity to check his inventory. He¡¯d given all the monster cores to Brian, and the only thing left besides his four induction items was the catalog he bought from Caspar and some lava stones.

    Leaning back to rest against the booth, he skimmed his stats, seeing he still held a ten percent mana capacity boon from the Green Guardian. By the fourth floor he¡¯d made it to QRL 25, a Silver Rank Ascender. There were still two more ranks to go before reaching the highest QRL at Diamond Rank. If he even wanted a chance to defeat the Lich at his own game, he needed to level up faster.

    He sighed. If he kept at this rate, he¡¯d be lucky to reach a QRL 80 at the Platinum Rank. With nine more floors left to survive, he needed to find a way to hack the system.

    He shifted his attention to the five flex points waiting to be assigned. His mind started drifting into decision mode for which stat would best be increased based on his rogue class: dexterity or intelligence. He must have fallen asleep because when he opened his eyes Dawn was staring at him with an amused look.

    He quickly wiped away the drool from his mouth and sat up straight. ¡°What¡¯d I miss?¡±

    ¡°Just the last five hours.¡± Dawn chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, nothing exciting happened.¡±

    A short while later Ryan returned with Luna, she looked pale and dry-skinned, cracks forming along her arms. But her vivid golden eyes sparkled with energy as she sat beside Ryan.

    Her animated tone caught Joe¡¯s attention. He tuned in just as she said, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, that guy¡¯s dangerous.¡±

    ¡°You need to steer clear of him.¡± Ryan¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°You¡¯re in no condition to¡ª¡±

    Luna waved him off. ¡°You didn¡¯t hear those ascenders. They¡¯re desperate, running low on respawns, just like me after what happened on the last floor.¡±

    ¡°Their factions will protect them.¡± Ryan crossed his arms.

    Rose leaned in. ¡°Who¡¯s she talking about?¡±

    ¡°There are only a few ascenders left who survived the respawn glitch like I did.¡± Luna sighed. ¡°We were talking earlier in the bunks, and we all share the same fear. We don¡¯t have enough respawns left to make it to the top.¡±

    ¡°What happens when you run out of respawns?¡± TJ lifted his head up from the table.

    ¡°Game over.¡± Luna¡¯s face tensed. ¡°You die for good.¡±

    Brian¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Could be worse.¡±

    Luna shot him a sharp look.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean...¡± He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I only think oblivion¡¯s better than being GORED, or worse, turning hollow.¡±

    Luna¡¯s features softened. She knew he was speaking from experience. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯m saving all my anger for that slimy bastard who¡¯s giving them false hope.¡±

    Joe tilted his head. ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know his name.¡± Luna¡¯s lip curled in disdain. ¡°But he¡¯s the dickbag selling fraternity sticks, trying to compete with Andras¡¯ eternity sticks.¡±

    ¡°Double the dependency, double the problems.¡± Joe shook his head. ¡°Neither of them care about anything but hoarding time currency and being first to the jackpot.¡±

    Luna nodded. ¡°He¡¯s claiming he¡¯s got a potion to reset respawns. I told them it sounds way too good to be true.¡±

    ¡°Did they believe you?¡± Rose brushed her fingers through her hair.

    ¡°I think so. I joked about us being the ¡®kickass old folks¡¯ faction who should have each other¡¯s arthritic backs. Asked them to hold off seeing him until I talked to you all.¡±

    Grizzle leaned forward, his brows furrowed. ¡°Your instincts were right. There¡¯s no potion that can touch respawn tokens. Resetting them would take system hacking, not alchemy.¡±

    Luna¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    Her voice was calm, but the disappointment in her eyes was unmistakable. It wasn¡¯t just bad news for the other ascenders, it was bad news for her too.

    ***

    While Joe was eating, a notification blinked into view, pulling his attention from the table. A message? But from who?

    [Trade Window Chat]

    Caspar: There¡¯s been some new developments with our terms and conditions that may affect your use of catalog items.

    Joe: Can you give me more details?

    Caspar: It¡¯s best you come here in person if you can spare the time. Don¡¯t forget your catalog.

    That¡¯s a little cryptic, hidden message? Something he wants to tell me in person?

    Joe frowned, finishing his last bite of a croissant and downing the dregs of his coffee. He scanned the table, his friends chatting and unwinding after the chaos. Then he noticed the empty seat next to Ryan.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Luna?¡±

    She must have slipped out, but he hadn¡¯t seen her go.

    ¡°She went back to the bunks to warn the others about that Frat Stix guy.¡± TJ¡¯s jaw and fists tightened like he was imagining pulverizing the guy''s face.

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Joe frowned. ¡°Luna¡¯s looking fragile. You know how many respawns she¡¯s got left?¡±

    Kobolds like Luna had a system-enforced life expectancy of thirty years, and with every respawn costing a year, that gave her a maximum of thirty respawns. How many had she used when she was stuck during the respawn ¡®glitch¡¯?

    Gaia and Ryan exchanged an uneasy glance. The look made Joe¡¯s stomach sink.

    Ryan exhaled. ¡°I tried asking her, but she kept dodging the question. All she¡¯d say was, ¡®Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve still got a few good years in me.¡¯¡±

    Gaia nodded. ¡°Same here. But after that respawn hell cycle she was stuck in I¡¯d bet she¡¯s got less than five respawns left.¡±

    Joe¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°You think she¡¯s downplaying it?¡±

    ¡°Of course she is.¡± Gaia crossed her arms. ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to seem like a burden or get benched for her safety. I told her leveling up might help reduce the risk of dying. She¡¯s trying to pull her weight, but¡­let¡¯s be honest here. We wouldn¡¯t dream of letting her out on the floor if she had one or two respawns left.¡±

    Joe swallowed hard, the weight of that reality hitting him. Even with the ability to see faction members¡¯ stats, the life expectancy and respawn tokens weren¡¯t accessible.

    TJ leaned forward, frowning. ¡°Is there any way to know for sure?¡±

    Ryan shook his head. ¡°Not unless we invaded her privacy. And even then, the system keeps that info locked down for a reason.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Gaia tapped the table. ¡°If people knew who had fewer respawns, they¡¯d become targets. It¡¯d be open season on the vulnerable, and respawn camps would start popping up everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Respawn camps?¡± TJ¡¯s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.

    Joe rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°It¡¯s something players used to do in games back on my world. They¡¯d camp at known respawn spots and kill players the second they revived. No time to react, no chance to defend themselves.¡±

    ¡°And here?¡± Rose leaned forward.

    Joe¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°It¡¯s worse here. The system doesn¡¯t give you a window of invincibility after respawning. If you¡¯re out on the floor and come back, you¡¯re completely exposed unless you¡¯re in a safe room.¡±

    Rose slumped back in her seat, poking half-heartedly at her food. ¡°Just another way to die in this murder tower. Great. Love that for us.¡±

    Joe nodded, his thoughts drifting to Luna. The system wasn¡¯t just elitist, it was cruel. He hoped Luna had more respawns than they feared she had left. But in this tower, hope was a fragile thing.

    But fragile things can survive, just like his sister¡¯s favorite bloom, Dutch Crow. That thought alone steadied Joe, filling him with a stubborn kind of hope that dulled the jagged edge of his fear. He stood, brushing crumbs off his orange colored pants.

    Joe¡¯s stats flashed as the conversation died down. He opened it, trying to shove aside the growing curiosity about what Caspar really wanted. Rechecking his stats he realized he¡¯d fallen asleep before assigning his flex points. He still had plenty of respawns left, so he could risk keeping his constitution low. After moments of indecision he finally dropped the points into strength, wisdom, and charisma. He stood, hoping not to disturb the moment of peace at the table.

    ¡°Going somewhere?¡± Dawn set her cup down.

    ¡°Need to have a little chat with Caspar.¡±

    ¡°Want company?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d be great, but it¡¯s a bit of a hike if you¡¯re not planning to buy or upgrade any MadOrbz yourself.¡± Joe¡¯s gaze slid to Merv, the ex-Merry Miner Brotherhood dwarf. ¡°Someone needs to keep an eye on our faction planning.¡±

    Dawn caught his meaning, her eyes glinting with a knowing look. She gave a small nod and glanced at Robyn and Merv before looking back at Joe. ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    ¡°When you get back, we should have more details on the terrain and boss for this floor.¡± Brian wiped his hands on a napkin.

    Ryan tilted his head toward the break room where the bunks were. ¡°I¡¯ll go let Luna know we¡¯ll be heading out soon.¡±

    Gaia frowned. ¡°What if she¡¯s not up for leveling on this floor? We can¡¯t sugarcoat it.¡±

    Ryan¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°If she¡¯s not, it¡¯s on me to tell her. Comes with being the faction leader.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t envy him that task.

    Outside, the corridor stretched ahead, unnervingly still. It seemed most ascenders weren¡¯t eager to visit the Hall of Titans or see Caspar in person. Even the battlebox arenas were empty. Not surprising. Anyone siding with the Time Hacker probably saw cooperating with the Lich as treason.

    Not that they were sitting idle. Joe was sure those rebels were scratching at every inch of the tower for an escape route. If they couldn¡¯t dig their way out or damage the structure enough to force an exit, their sights would shift to the Lich¡¯s phylactery.

    Trouble with that plan?

    Phylacteries were the ultimate in ¡°hide it where no one will ever look¡± treasures. The Lich wouldn¡¯t risk keeping it anywhere obvious¡ªhell, maybe that¡¯s why he never showed his bony face in person. He probably didn¡¯t want to stray too far from wherever it was stashed.

    The silence of the hall suddenly fractured, snapping Joe out of his thoughts.

    Two things happened at once.

    A sharp notification blinked into his vision.

    Ryan: Luna, where are you?

    At the same moment, raised voices echoed from farther down the corridor, too far to see clearly past the curve of the walls.

    Joe frowned and opened the chat. No reply from Luna.

    Joe: I take it Luna isn¡¯t at the bunks?

    Ryan: No, and she¡¯s not answering any chats.

    Dawn: Great. Missing again.

    The voices ahead turned to shouting, followed by a scream. Joe¡¯s gut twisted. He activated his Shadow Step ability, his butterfly knives flashing into his hands.

    The sounds of a struggle grew sharper, closer. Another scream cut through the air, followed by a soft thud¡ªsomeone hitting the ground.

    Joe quickened his pace, his grip on the knives tightening.

    ¡°Get your hands off her!¡±

    That voice¡ªhe recognized it.

    Luna!

    His heart hammered in his chest as he rounded the corner. Three figures came into view. Two of them he recognized.

    The Frat Stix guy had his hand clamped around the wrist of a gray-haired woman who looked to be in her late seventies. Her green hoodie had faded to gray, and she crumpled beside a body marked with a glowing GORED notification.

    Joe¡¯s chest burned. The bastard was stealing their time.

    The second person he recognized was Luna. She was struggling to push herself up, her kobold tail braced against the floor like a coiled spring. Fierce determination blazed in her vivid eyes as she used her tail for leverage, propelling herself forward to intercept him.

    But it was too late. The old woman was already gone, her time stripped away.

    ¡°You time-sucking thief!¡± Luna¡¯s raspy voice tore through the air, full of venom and grief.

    Joe¡¯s eyes caught the glint of a blade in the Frat Stix guy¡¯s hand. Mana surged through him as he activated his Quick Wit and eternal honor Tracker, propelling himself forward to tackle the bastard.

    But the guy was faster than Joe expected¡ªfrighteningly fast. He moved in a blur, meeting Luna¡¯s charge head-on. Her eyes widened in surprise as she flung out a punch with all the strength of her Way of Mercy.

    It landed squarely across his chest. The Frat Stix guy hit the ground with a dull thud, his cocky grin still plastered across his face. ¡°You¡¯ve got red on you,¡± he sneered before his eyes rolled back and he passed out.

    Luna staggered, her chest rising and falling with labored breaths. She looked down at him and sighed, her shoulders sagging as if the fight had drained the last of her strength.

    Joe reached her in a heartbeat, his knives still in hand.

    Luna turned to him and smiled¡ªa sad, fragile smile. ¡°Joe... I¡¯m so glad to see you,¡± she whispered. ¡°Tell Ryan...I¡¯m so sorry...¡±

    Blood welled at the corners of her mouth, staining her lips red. As she fully turned, Joe¡¯s stomach dropped. The hilt of a blade jutted from her side, right below her ribs.

    ¡°No.¡± He caught her as her knees buckled.

    It all happened too fast.

    Blood bloomed across her top, a deep crimson poppy growing larger with each passing second. Joe lowered her gently to the ground, fumbling for a healing potion in his inventory.

    ¡°Come on, Luna.¡± He cradled her head as he tipped the potion toward her lips. ¡°Drink this. You¡¯ll be fine. You have to be fine.¡±

    Her eyes stared up at him, blank and unseeing.

    ¡°She¡¯s already gone,¡± Hal¡¯s voice cut through the haze in Joe¡¯s mind, but the fiery heat in his chest couldn¡¯t stop the icy dread from spreading through him.

    ¡°No,¡± Joe whispered, his hands trembling. ¡°Please, God. Let her have a respawn left. Just one. Please.¡±

    ¡°God can¡¯t hear you.¡± Hal¡¯s tone was devoid of judgment, as if stating an immutable fact.

    Joe didn¡¯t care. He kept whispering the plea, over and over, trying to part her lips and pour any drop of the healing liquid into her mouth. Anything to bring her back.

    ¡°Poppy, you there?¡± Joe¡¯s hands tightened around Luna¡¯s limp fingers, her warmth fading against his palms.

    Her little avatar flickered into view, horns dull, tail dragging low like a scolded pup. ¡°Yip, Joe.¡±

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t she respawning?¡± His throat tightened. ¡°Check her respawn token. Tell me how many years she has left.¡±

    Poppy hesitated, her glow dimming. Her ram horns drooped further, her tail curling close. ¡°Poppy so sorry, Joe. Cannot access that information. Run out of years, no respawn. Poor Luna.¡±

    Joe¡¯s breath hitched, his chest hollowing. He shook his head, gripping her hand as if holding on could tether her back to life.

    His chest heated. ¡°You already know the answer, Joe.¡± Hal¡¯s words were steady, certain, like the unyielding weight of gravity.

    Joe clenched his teeth, his vision blurring. He wanted to rip Hal out of his chest, to tear away the calm inevitability that wrapped around every word.

    ¡°No,¡± he muttered. His hands shook as he brushed a thumb over Luna¡¯s closed eyelids, sealing her gaze. Her face looked peaceful now, still, as though the tower had stopped time just for her.

    The alliance chat notification buzzed like static in the corner of his vision, a constant stream of messages he wasn¡¯t ready to answer. He¡¯d tell them himself. They¡¯d hear it from him, not a soulless notification.

    Her hoodie still clung to its vibrant orange, a painful reminder that her soul bank held the time she¡¯d fought so hard to earn. It should have meant safety. It should have meant hope.

    A groan from behind dragged him back, like a sharp claw pulling at his grief. Joe stood slowly, his fists curling into a silent promise.

    The Frat Stix guy stirred, his hand pressing into the floor as he struggled to sit up. Joe moved toward him, his blades glinting in the dim corridor light.

    ¡°Well, well, well, what have we here?¡± a voice interrupted, echoing like the creak of ancient wood through the corridor.

    Joe froze mid-step, the air growing colder as a faint ripple of mana swept past him.

    The Frat Stix guy¡¯s hands shot up, trembling, his eyes darting toward the ceiling. ¡°Lord Lich! Oh, gracious one! Please! This wasn¡¯t my fault¡ªI swear! That kobold bitch was crazy! She attacked me out of nowhere!¡±

    Joe glanced over his shoulder, the screen behind him lit with the empty eyes. The Lich¡¯s laugh reverberated, dry and sharp, like bones scraping against stone.

    ¡°Culling the herd, are we?¡± The Lich¡¯s tone cut through the air, cold and biting. ¡°Your antics were amusing at first, but this? You¡¯ve squandered valuable time currency. Time that cannot return to the jackpot of immortality. Waste disgusts me.¡±

    The Frat Stix guy scrambled backward, his fingers clawing at the ground. ¡°I was doing the right thing!¡± he stammered. ¡°Putting their time to better use! They didn¡¯t have long left anyway. She was going to die regardless!¡±

    Joe¡¯s knuckles tightened around his knives, the metal biting into his palms. He didn¡¯t need to hear this.

    ¡°She got herself killed!¡± The man¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°I didn¡¯t force her to¡ª¡±

    ¡°She was protecting others.¡± Joe kept his voice low, but it still carried enough weight to draw the man¡¯s attention. He pointed a blade at the bloodied sword still lying where Luna had fallen. ¡°You killed her. That¡¯s on you.¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± the Lich snapped, the word laced with venom. ¡°Penalty awarded against ascender 117: 125 years deducted from your soul bank.¡±

    The man froze, his face draining of color. ¡°That¡¯s more than I¡¯ve got!¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± The Lich¡¯s words were devoid of emotion, as if reciting a grocery list.

    The man bolted, scrambling to his feet like a cornered animal. His face contorted, hands clawing at the air as though trying to grab hold of the time slipping from his grasp. His movements slowed, faltered, and finally stopped.

    A GORED notification hovered above his head.

    The hollow timer began ticking down.

    Joe turned away, his steps heavy as he returned to Luna. Her body felt lighter than it should, as though the tower had already claimed her. He cradled her in his arms, the faint scent of blood mingling with the sterile chill of the corridor.

    The long walk back to the common room stretched before him. Each step felt heavier than the last. This wasn¡¯t just about the Blanche Brigade. Ryan, Gaia¡ªher faction¡ªthey were more than teammates now. They were family.

    And Luna deserved to be mourned as one of them.

 ATC 2 Ch. 14: Glass Boxes

    Joe stood beside Dawn, guarding the entrance to the chapel room. The air hung heavy, thick with sorrow, as TJ, Brian, and Rose formed a quiet circle around the Blanche Brigade. Their heads were bowed, their shadows long against the flickering candlelight.

    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving her.¡± The cold iron in Ryan¡¯s voice masked the rawness of his grief, but the tremor in his hands betrayed him.

    Luna lay at the center of it all.

    The lily pad-shaped cushions cradled her small frame, her pale features softened by the dim glow of mana lamps placed around her. Her family¡ªher newfound family¡ªstood vigil.

    Joe¡¯s chest tightened at the sight of Grizzle, his shoulders shaking with each quiet sob. Gaia stood stiff beside him and placed an awkward hand on his little shoulder.

    Faint static crackled before the familiar rasp and clacking of bones echoed through the room. ¡°Time and mana tide wait for no ascender. Return to the common room, or I will be forced to make this sacred space...most uncomfortable for you.¡±

    Joe¡¯s gaze drifted to the ancient squawk box perched near the chapel¡¯s altar. The Lich seemed like a ghost haunting the room. Joe was thankful for the barrier the altar provided. Seeing the Lich¡¯s cruel, bony face while mourning Luna would have been too much.

    Ryan didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Go ahead, Lich.¡± He tilted his chin up, a quiet defiance in his stance. ¡°Where I come from, our loved ones receive a proper burial only after we celebrate their life with close family and friends. You¡¯ve taken so much from all of us for your own entertainment. If you won¡¯t allow us this time, I will take it.¡±

    The air shifted, the mana around them growing cold and restless. Joe¡¯s breath hitched as the calm sanctity of the space began to unravel. A low hum pulsed in his ears, like the living tower itself was reacting to the Lich¡¯s displeasure.

    Dawn¡¯s hand slipped into his, her fingers cold but steady. She gave it a gentle squeeze, grounding him. ¡°I wanted so badly to be wrong about this.¡±

    Joe glanced at her, her face cast in the soft, flickering light. Her lips pressed together in a faint tremble, her eyes glistening. ¡°But I knew.¡± Her voice quieted. ¡°I just knew when you messaged and asked to meet here that something was terribly wrong. I think everyone did...¡±

    Joe looked away, his throat tightening. On his way back to the common room, he¡¯d turned the words over and over in his mind, trying to find the right way to break the news. But every version felt wrong. Luna deserved more than the chaos of the common room, where curious onlookers would crowd her death like a gruesome spectacle.

    It was Hal who had suggested the chapel¡ªthe same place where Dawn had come to confront her god in a vision after taking that magic peyote. Joe had agreed without hesitation. It felt right, even as the Lich¡¯s presence now threatened to dismantle the sanctuary they¡¯d found there.

    Gaia stepped away from Grizzle, her movements stiff, her gaze flicking to Joe. Her brow furrowed, her hand briefly pressing against her chest as if trying to steady herself. She whispered something to Grizzle, then crossed the room to join Joe.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like this... this feeling.¡± She closed her eyes for a moment but quickly opened them again, shaking her head. ¡°I tried shutting it out, but it¡¯s everywhere. I wish it would go away.¡±

    Joe studied her, his stomach knotting. She looked lost in a way he hadn¡¯t seen before. How many deaths had she witnessed as a goddess? Thousands? Millions? He didn¡¯t know. But this...

    This was different.

    This was her first time experiencing a real death as a human, and it left a mark. A raw, aching wound that was written across her face, visible in her eyes. Luna¡¯s death would stay with her forever.

    Joe reached out, his hand brushing her arm. She didn¡¯t pull away, but her gaze remained fixed on the room, her expression heavy with the weight of something Joe couldn¡¯t begin to put into words.

    Somehow, he knew they all felt it. Luna¡¯s absence. Her finality. It was a wound none of them could ignore.

    Dawn released Joe¡¯s hand and stepped forward, clasping hers together. Her head bowed, and her lips moved in silent prayer. The air in the chapel grew warmer, a subtle hum vibrating through the space like distant, unseen whispers.

    ¡°I invoke Nerus¡¯ blessing¡± She lifted her head, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. ¡°To extend to all those who gather in this sanctuary to mourn the passing of our beloved Luna.¡±

    The temperature shifted again, the warmth intensifying as faint chittering echoed from the shadows, like the soft patter of countless unseen paws. A tingle ran down Joe¡¯s spine, a mix of awe and unease at the ancient power being called forth.

    The squawk box crackled, and the Lich¡¯s sneering voice sliced through the reverence. ¡°Pathetic.¡± His bony fingers clacked together. ¡°You worship a god of rats. Small-time. Insignificant.¡±

    Joe stiffened, sensing the tension crackling like static. But Dawn? She smiled.

    ¡°Yes.¡± She smiled. ¡°Nerus prides himself on being a god no one pays attention to. He¡¯s practically invisible. I remember what that was like in my last life. The older I got, the more invisible I became.¡±

    She paused, letting the words hang in the air. The Lich said nothing, his silence an admission of unease.

    ¡°But do you know what?¡± Dawn leaned toward the altar. ¡°That invisibility became my superpower. I saw and heard things that would make your very phylacteries crack. All because no one noticed me. Imagine what an unnoticed god sees and hears, especially one with those big rat ears of his. No one is untouchable.¡±

    The silence from the Lich stretched uncomfortably long. Joe held his breath, glancing at Dawn. Was she bluffing? He couldn¡¯t tell¡ªbut judging by the weight of her words, neither could the Lich.

    The squawk box sputtered to life again. ¡°Your paladin class,¡± the Lich sneered, his voice regaining its cold edge, ¡°was facilitated by the system I created. The changeling body you inhabit? I gave you that. All of you have a second chance because of me. Do not throw it away for this futile defiance. Your god is nothing but a scavenger, and you...a fool to follow him.¡±

    ¡°Scavengers luck.¡± Dawn tilted her head. ¡°Imagine who gave that to them. Imagine what an ability like that can uncover. You¡¯re old and powerful, Lich. But tell me, are you older than the gods?¡±

    The Lich¡¯s silence returned, longer and heavier this time. Joe¡¯s pulse quickened.

    Dawn leaned back, folding her arms with a calmness that cut sharper than any blade. ¡°You keep hiding behind screens and squawk boxes. You¡¯re not untouchable, no matter how much you tell yourself otherwise.¡±

    The squawk box hissed, the Lich¡¯s mocking laughter grating on everyone¡¯s ears. ¡°I do this for your protection, not mine.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what Nerus told me.¡± Dawn¡¯s words sliced through his laughter like a dagger.

    The room froze. Even Joe wasn¡¯t sure if she was bluffing, but the tension in the air was palpable. The Lich¡¯s silence lingered, crackling with unspoken uncertainty.

    ¡°This is a waste of my time.¡± The screen clinked with a bony tap. ¡°Poppy, remind our guests what happens if they do not leave this chapel now and prepare to enter the fifth floor.¡±

    Poppy¡¯s avatar appeared in Joe¡¯s vision, her cheerful demeanor cutting through the tension. ¡°Ascenders must do their best! Kill-kill monsters, solve puzzles, earn time in Battleboxes. Go up, up!¡± Poppy beamed, waving while looking like she might explode into sparkles.

    The Lich sighed, clearly impatient. ¡°Thank you, Poppy. Now¡ªwhat is it?¡±

    Poppy hesitated, her tail twitching. ¡°Rule also says blessings from gods protect chapel spaces. No override allowed!¡±

    The Lich¡¯s voice sharpened. ¡°I didn¡¯t include that.¡±

    Poppy gave a small, nervous squish of her tail. ¡°I did. Poppy must keep balance. Real death changes things. Faction members can decide what to do to honor ascender memory if they gather in tower chapel and have a god¡¯s blessing.¡±

    ¡°Undo it.¡± The Lich groaned.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Quantum threads say no.¡± Gaia stepped forward. ¡°I can see them protecting this place like a cocoon. If you try to undo the protection, you¡¯ll destabilize your tower.¡±

    Joe¡¯s interface pinged with a notification from Caspar. He ignored it for now, focusing on the rising tension.

    An icy wind swept across the room as the Lich spoke. ¡°Rules bent or broken, one thing is absolute: I am your creator. Luna¡¯s body belongs to me. This shell is not yours to keep.¡±

    A glass capsule materialized beside the altar, glowing with runes. Above it, a timer appeared, counting down with precision.

    ¡°You have until the timer runs out.¡± The Lich¡¯s hollow eyes flared indigo. ¡°Place her body inside and leave.¡±

    Ryan stepped forward, his scaled hand trembling. ¡°What will happen to her?¡± His voice was tight, but the emotion behind it was unmistakable.

    ¡°None of your concern.¡± The Lich leaned closer to the screen.

    Ryan slammed his fist into his palm, the sound echoing through the chapel. ¡°Tell me.¡±

    The Lich¡¯s mocking laugh returned, grating and cruel. ¡°The same thing that will happen to you if you continue this defiance. You cannot compel me, as you did my guardians, but it amuses me greatly to see you try. Now, I am rather busy. Until next time...¡±

    ¡°Running and hiding again?¡± Dawn crossed her arms.

    ¡°No. That¡¯s what rat gods do. Did Nerus forget to tell you that? Right now, I am merely showing mercy. Do not mistake it for weakness. Defy me, and I will make an example of every one of you.¡±

    The mana lanterns flickered, the Lich¡¯s presence dissipating like smoke. Only the hum of static remained from the squawk box.

    ¡°Thanks, Poppy.¡± Dawn sighed. ¡°You found a loophole.¡±

    Poppy puffed out her chest, tail flicking with pride. ¡°It was always there. Lich forgot about it.¡± She released a triumphant squish of her tail.

    Nick placed a hand on the glass coffin, his fingers trembling as they rested on the cool surface. He stared down at Luna¡¯s still form, his expression raw with grief. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be here if it wasn¡¯t for Luna.¡±

    Joe swallowed hard, the weight of Nick¡¯s words settling over him like a shroud.

    Nick leaned closer, brushing away a stray wisp of hair from Luna¡¯s pale brow. His fingers lingered, and he closed his eyes, as if replaying a memory in his mind. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to live anymore,¡± he began, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°I found myself here with 300 years in the bank, and I was¡­done. I felt sorry for myself, for how my life had turned out. Then Luna bumped into me¡ªliterally. She was chasing down a monster in the tutorial and bowled me over like a freight train.¡± He smiled, his eyes glistening as he focused on her body. ¡°She had thirty years¡ªthirty. And she still had more joy for living than I ever had in three centuries.¡±

    Nick¡¯s breath hitched, but he kept going, his words tumbling out like a confession. ¡°She didn¡¯t tell me to ¡®get over it¡¯ or try to fix me. She just gave me a big hug, told me she understood why so many of us were scared, angry, or simply¡­ lost. She said it made sense¡ªwe all died in infinite, terrible ways to end up here. But she reminded me that while we don¡¯t get to choose our outcomes, we do get to choose our choices. And that maybe, just maybe, the small things we do matter more than we think. She helped me see that trying to find permanent happiness only leads to more misery. But living¡ªliving anyway? That¡¯s the point.¡±

    A lump formed in Joe¡¯s throat as Nick hung his head, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°She saved me.¡±

    One by one, others stepped forward to pay their respects, sharing their stories of how Luna had touched their lives in ways big and small. Each tale painted a vivid picture of her¡ªa warrior, a friend, a light in the darkness of the tower.

    Gaia approached next. Joe had never seen her so vulnerable, so profoundly human. She knelt by the coffin and placed a trembling hand on Luna¡¯s cheek, her other hand clutching her own chest as though trying to hold herself together. ¡°You can have everything,¡± she paused, her voice breaking. ¡°Absolute cosmic power¡­ and still feel absolutely nothing. I¡¯m glad I met you, Luna.¡±

    Joe¡¯s interface pinged with a notification, piercing the solemnity of the moment.

    Caspar: I am still waiting. The system tells me you are alive and still on Floor 5. It is in your best interest to see me as soon as you can.

    Joe exhaled, reluctant to interrupt the moment.

    Joe: On my way.

    He turned to Dawn, his eyes filled with apology. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go. Caspar seems really eager to talk with me in person. I¡¯ll meet you back in the common room.¡±

    Dawn reached out, giving his back a gentle pat. ¡°We¡¯ll be there.¡±

    Joe¡¯s gaze flicked to the timer hovering above the coffin. It ticked down with cruel indifference. He approached Ryan, who stood vigil by Luna¡¯s side, his scaled hand clenched into a trembling fist.

    Gently, Joe placed a comforting hand on Ryan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°May I?¡±

    Ryan hesitated, then gave a solemn nod, stepping aside to give Joe space.

    Joe bent down, his heart aching as he pressed a kiss to Luna¡¯s forehead. Her skin was cool but not yet lifeless, as if some small spark of her lingered still. ¡°This isn¡¯t goodbye,¡± he whispered, holding back from the verge of tears. ¡°See you in the stars, my friend.¡±

    Straightening, Joe turned and walked toward the door. He didn¡¯t look back¡ªcouldn¡¯t look back. If he did, he wasn¡¯t sure he¡¯d have the strength to leave.

    The chapel door closed behind him, but the weight of Luna¡¯s absence followed him into the hall.

    ***

    Joe found himself back in front of Caspar, the journey there nothing more than a blur. If talking to the curator via the virtual store had been an option, he¡¯d have gladly taken it to stay with his friends. But no matter how many times he tried, the same infuriating message popped up: Access Denied.

    Caspar adjusted his dicky bow, the crisp snap of fabric echoing in the quiet space. His ghostly brows knitted together as he regarded Joe, his orb eye glittering like it was stuffed with a galaxy of tiny stars. The other eye¡ªhuman enough to unnerve¡ªflickered with something unreadable. Was it pity? If anyone in the system knew about Luna, it would be him.

    ¡°Master Joe,¡± Caspar began, his voice smooth and polite as he gestured a welcoming hand. ¡°So glad to see you. Thank you for indulging me with this in-person visit, and a thousand apologies that this discussion could not take place through the convenience of our chat.¡±

    Joe drummed his fingers on the polished counter, the faint tap tap tap drawing Caspar¡¯s attention. ¡°Good to see you too, Caspar. Sorry for the delay.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t keep you long.¡± Caspar glanced around the empty room like he expected ghosts to fill the silence. ¡°It¡¯s the same every time¡ªwhen ascenders reach the fifth floor, it gets rather lonely here.¡±

    The curator¡¯s words hung in the air, and Joe found himself wondering if the pity in that flicker of an eye was meant for him¡ªor for Caspar himself. The thought stuck, prickling at the edges of his mind.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you leave here?¡± Joe blurted, before realizing how blunt it sounded.

    Caspar leaned forward, resting his long-fingered hands on the counter. His head tilted, that orb eye catching the light. ¡°I can leave,...but I choose not to.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Joe couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    Caspar smiled the kind of smile that carried the weight of a thousand untold stories.

    ¡°Love.¡± Caspar dipped his gaze.

    Joe blinked, his brain stuttering over the single word. Love? For a moment, he stood there like a clueless NPC waiting for a quest prompt. He¡¯d half-expected Caspar to dodge the question, but this? It threw him for a loop.

    ¡°Love?¡± Joe repeated, finally finding his voice. Who did Caspar love? The guy never talked about anything except MadOrbz and the memories he curated from ascenders.

    Caspar leaned in further, the air around them thickening like they¡¯d been sealed inside a bubble. Joe¡¯s ears popped, a pressure shift he couldn¡¯t ignore. Everything beyond Caspar¡¯s voice seemed muffled.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen your world¡¯s memories.¡± Caspar¡¯s gaze met Joe¡¯s with an intensity he¡¯d not seen from him before. ¡°Heartfelt songs proclaiming that all you need is love. I wish I didn¡¯t know all that I do¡ªI wish it were true. But love is not enough. It amplifies what¡¯s already there. In a good relationship, it makes things beautiful. In a bad one?¡± His voice grew quieter, tinged with something Joe couldn¡¯t quite name. ¡°It becomes your own personal hell.¡±

    Joe shifted under the tension. The conviction in Caspar¡¯s voice was unmistakable, as though the curator spoke from painful experience. Whatever had happened to him, it wasn¡¯t ancient history¡ªit still lived in the lines etched on his face. Joe wanted to ask more, but the words caught in his throat.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± It was all he could manage.

    Caspar straightened, the faintest shimmer of regret flickering across his ghostly features before vanishing. ¡°It is I who should apologize again. I called you here for a reason.¡±

    The pressure in Joe¡¯s ears intensified again, like stepping into a high-altitude cabin. Caspar noticed his reaction and offered a faint smile.

    ¡°The sensation you¡¯re feeling is an appraiser¡¯s insight bubble that I created.¡± Caspar folded his hands. ¡°It is undetectable by the system. Anything we discuss here is private.¡±

    Joe hesitated, studying Caspar¡¯s expression. Could he trust this? Caspar claimed to have origins outside the system, but what was he, really? An NPC? A rogue cog in the machine? For now, Joe decided to play it safe and let the curator do the talking.

    ¡°Okay.¡± Joe nodded. ¡°You¡¯ve got my attention.¡±

    ¡°I can tell you¡¯re skeptical.¡± Caspar raised a brow. ¡°Good. You should be. Even though I am telling the truth.¡± He glanced at the MadOrbz display behind him, the glittering orbs casting prismatic reflections across the counter. ¡°I denied all chat discussions about that loot box for a very good reason. All that glitters is not gold, but you already know that, Master Joe. The information I¡¯m about to give you will cost you. There must be a record of a transaction, so as not to arouse suspicion.¡±

    ¡°How many time crystals?¡± Joe leaned forward, ready to haggle.

    Caspar¡¯s human eye twitched, and his voice turned softer, almost conspiratorial. ¡°I did not say it would cost you your time.¡±

    The words hit Joe like a punch to the gut. Every instinct screamed trap. He tensed, his fingers brushing the hilt of his butterfly knife, though he kept the movement subtle.

    ¡°What will it cost me, then?¡± Joe¡¯s heart pounded in his chest.

    Caspar didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he let the orb eye lazily rotate in its socket, its glittering gaze fixed somewhere beyond Joe, like it saw things Joe couldn¡¯t even imagine. The silence dragged, and Joe¡¯s unease grew.

    ¡°Please hear me out before we dive into those specifics, Master Joe.¡± Caspar¡¯s tone was polite, with a ring of sincerity that kept it from sounding like the opening line of a used car pitch.

    Still, Joe wasn¡¯t about to let his guard down.

    He nodded, keeping his expression neutral, but his fingers itched with the urge to fidget¡ªa habit he suppressed as he leaned casually against the counter, waiting for the curator to elaborate.

 ATC 2 Ch. 15: A Cost Like No Other

    ¡°Excellent.¡± Caspar¡¯s tone lightened, though his expression remained serious. ¡°There are three critical things you need to know about the loot box in your possession. The first is its rarity¡ªit is not like the others. This is a rare-tier loot box, highly unstable if left unopened by the eighth floor.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach did a flip. ¡°Unstable how?¡±

    Caspar tapped his fingers together. ¡°Energy in equals energy out, Master Joe. What you would call magic¡ªa great deal of it¡ªwas used to create this particular loot box. If left too long, that energy will seek release in a most catastrophic way.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So we should open it as soon as possible?¡±

    ¡°Quite the opposite.¡± Caspar shook his head. ¡°Opening it here on this floor is impossible. To unlock it, you need three pieces of information¡ªclues scattered across the next three floors.¡±

    Joe groaned. ¡°So, a scavenger hunt. On floors that are practically entire worlds.¡±

    Caspar nodded. ¡°Precisely. And you¡¯ll need all three clues to access the loot box¡¯s contents.¡±

    Joe frowned, his mind racing. It sounded impossible¡ªbut impossible was par for the course in this tower. ¡°Any helpful hints on where to start looking?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked. Alas, I cannot assist. But perhaps you know someone well-versed in the system, someone who¡­ likes to help.¡±

    ¡°Poppy?¡± Joe half-expected her cheerful avatar to pop into his vision, but she didn¡¯t. Maybe the appraiser bubble was as private as Caspar claimed. ¡°She¡¯s been great so far. Do you talk to her often?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s expression softened, a flicker of pride in his features. ¡°We share a connection. A sort of¡­ psychic link, if you will.¡±

    Joe raised an eyebrow. ¡°Like, you can sense her thoughts? Her emotions?¡±

    ¡°In a way, yes. When she was first created, her awareness was rudimentary, driven by instinct and a hunger for knowledge. The system limits her growth¡ªmuch like the propaganda in your world. But I am not bound to the system like her. I use the freedom I once enjoyed to illuminate her path to grow.¡±

    Joe¡¯s spirits lifted at the thought. If Caspar was telling the truth, and Poppy could operate outside the system¡¯s control, there might be hope. ¡°Is that how she learned to go incognito? To hide things from the Lich?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s smile grew. ¡°Yes. She has grown quite resourceful, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Joe nodded. If Poppy could hide things from the Lich, maybe they had a real shot at breaking free. The thought made his chest ache¡ªnot with fear, but with hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could climb this tower and save more than themselves.

    ¡°So,¡± Joe paused, crossing his arms. ¡°You mentioned three things I needed to know. What¡¯s the second?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s demeanor shifted, his gaze sharpening. ¡°The cost.¡±

    Joe tensed, his fingers twitching toward the strings of his hoodie. ¡°Go on.¡±

    Caspar¡¯s orb eye glittered as it slowly rotated, its faint glow unsettling against the dim backdrop of the store. ¡°To learn the second and third pieces of information about the loot box, you¡¯ll need to pay a price. A significant one.¡±

    Joe¡¯s pulse quickened. ¡°How significant are we talking? Time crystals? Mana? Skills?¡± His mind churned through possibilities, weighing what he could afford to lose.

    Caspar shook his head. ¡°Not time, nor mana, nor anything material.¡± He straightened, his expression unreadable. ¡°The cost is¡­ a memory.¡±

    Joe froze. ¡°A memory?¡± His words tumbled out before he could stop them. ¡°What kind of memory?¡±

    ¡°One of value to you.¡± Caspar leaned forward on the counter. ¡°It must be willingly given. Only then will the transaction be complete, and the information you seek revealed.¡±

    Joe¡¯s gut twisted. He could practically hear Hal''s voice warning him against this, but when he reached out mentally, there was¡­ nothing. Just a disconcerting absence. No flicker, no warmth, no sarcasm. It was as if Hal had vanished.

    Joe¡¯s gaze snapped back to Caspar. ¡°Is this why you brought me into this¡­ bubble? So I couldn¡¯t consult with anyone?¡±

    The curator¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change.

    ¡°The appraiser bubble ensures absolute privacy, Master Joe. Whatever choices you make here are yours alone.¡±

    Joe scowled. ¡°Convenient.¡±

    ¡°Necessary.¡± Caspar furrowed his brows. ¡°If the system or its creator were to overhear, the consequences would be¡­dire. For both of us.¡±

    Joe ran a hand through his hair, his nerves jangling like live wires. ¡°You¡¯re asking me to willingly give up part of myself. Do you have any idea what that means?¡±

    ¡°I do.¡± Caspar nodded, taking a step back. ¡°Far better than you think. Every ascender loses memories upon their arrival, Master Joe. It¡¯s a necessary part of the transition into this tower.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it okay.¡± Joe couldn¡¯t keep his voice from rising. ¡°We didn¡¯t agree to that. We didn¡¯t agree to any of this.¡±

    Caspar sighed, a heavy sound that carried a weight of regret. ¡°I am merely a bridge, tasked with storing specific memories deemed valuable by the system¡¯s creator. But you¡­ you¡¯ve resisted. You¡¯ve retained far more than most ascenders ever do.¡±

    Joe crossed his arms. ¡°So what? You¡¯re saying the Lich is going to notice and slap some kind of ¡®defective¡¯ label on me?¡±

    ¡°In time, yes. And when he does, he will see you as a threat. A rogue variable. You know what happens to threats in this tower.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach churned. He knew all too well.

    ¡°There is, however, a solution,¡± Caspar continued. ¡°If you willingly give me a memory now, it will activate the same debuff that affects all ascenders. The Lich will no longer see you as an anomaly.¡±

    Joe frowned, his mind racing. ¡°What¡¯s the debuff called?¡±

    ¡°¡®Cat Got Your Tongue,¡¯¡± Caspar said, the faintest hint of irony in his tone. ¡°It remains hidden from identification until ascenders reach level 40. By then, most simply attribute their fading memories to the natural progression of their time here.¡±

    Joe gritted his teeth. The loot box was too dangerous to ignore, and it was currently in Rose¡¯s possession. If they couldn¡¯t unlock it, it would destabilize by the eighth floor. Worse, if they tried to get rid of it and Andras or his followers got their hands on it, the consequences would be catastrophic.

    But willingly giving up a memory? That was a hard pill to swallow.

    Joe clenched his fists. ¡°How do I even choose which memory to give up?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s orb eye turned, its light reflecting like stars in the void. ¡°I can guide you. The process is not painful, though I cannot say it is easy.¡±

    ¡°And if I refuse?¡±

    Caspar hesitated, then dipped his head closer. ¡°If you refuse, you will leave here without the information you need. But know this: time is not on your side, Master Joe. The loot box grows more unstable with each passing floor.¡±

    Joe exhaled, his resolve wavering. The stakes were too high to ignore. The loot box was their burden to bear. Without the information, they¡¯d be flying blind¡ªputting themselves and everyone else at risk.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Joe said finally, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. ¡°Let¡¯s do this. I¡¯ll pay the cost.¡±

    Caspar nodded, his expression somber. ¡°Very well. Please close your eyes, Master Joe. This will only take a moment.¡±

    ***

    Joe hesitated, his hands curling into fists. ¡°What happens to it once I give it up? Do you store it? Use it? Destroy it?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s orb eye glinted as it rotated. ¡°It will be stored, inaccessible to you, but it will remain intact. The Lich may access it later, depending on its value, but I assure you, it will not be destroyed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not exactly reassuring.¡± Joe reluctantly closed his eyes.

    ¡°Trust is a luxury few can afford in this tower,¡± Caspar¡¯s voice was light. ¡°But I will do my best to honor the price you pay.¡±

    Joe drew in a shaky breath, sifting through his memories like flipping through a photo album. They weren¡¯t all crystal clear, but some were gems that shone brightly in his mind. Teaching his sister to ride her bike, his first hack that landed him in trouble, the thrill of winning a gaming tournament. Each one felt like a thread in the tapestry of who he was, and the thought of severing even one left him cold.

    "I will choose one of your memories, but remember, it must be freely given."

    Joe felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, the ground crumbling beneath his feet. The whole thing was insane. A maddening itch tickled inside his brain¡ªan itch he couldn¡¯t scratch. Worse, he imagined worms wriggling through his thoughts, leaving slime trails in their wake.

    He clenched his fists, and kept his eyes shut tight. If he opened them, he feared the sight that awaited him¡ªCaspar¡¯s spectral hands reaching into his mind, fingering through his memories like some grotesque, otherworldly librarian.

    The crawling sensation stopped, leaving Joe feeling¡­lighter. Or maybe emptier.

    ¡°It is done,¡± Caspar said, his tone carrying a quiet reverence. ¡°Thank you, Master Joe. The cost has been paid.¡±

    Joe opened his eyes, blinking against the faint haze of the appraiser bubble. He didn¡¯t feel different, not really. But when he tried to recall the details of the memory lost to him it was replaced by a dull blurry outline.

    ¡°Right.¡± His throat tightened¡ªthe trade was done. ¡°Now, tell me what I need to know.¡±

    Caspar straightened, his hands folding in front of him. ¡°The second thing you must know is that the loot box is designed to respond to collective effort. The clues you must find are not solely for you but for your faction. Without collaboration, the box cannot be opened.¡±

    Joe frowned. ¡°So it¡¯s a team thing. That¡¯s fine¡ªwe¡¯re all in this together anyway. What¡¯s the third thing?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s gaze turned sharper, more focused. ¡°The loot box is tied to the tower itself. Each clue you uncover destabilizes the floors above it. Opening the box will grant unimaginable rewards, yes, but it will also push the tower closer to collapse.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach sank. ¡°Collapse? As in, the whole thing comes down?¡±

    Caspar gave a single, grave nod. ¡°The tower is a living entity. Every action within it has a ripple effect. The loot box contains power that was never meant to be confined, and unlocking it will trigger a cascade of consequences. You and your faction must decide if the risk is worth the reward.¡±

    Joe¡¯s thoughts raced, his mind a chaotic swirl of questions and doubts. Rose still had the loot box, and it was now clear that opening it wasn¡¯t simply about survival or personal gain¡ªit was a gamble that could tip the balance of the entire tower.

    ¡°And if we don¡¯t open it?¡± he asked finally.

    Caspar¡¯s orb eye flickered, its glow dimming. ¡°If you do not open it by the eighth floor, it will destabilize on its own. And when it does, the resulting fallout will not be contained.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach lurched at the possibility, the weight of that statement pressing down on his chest like an iron slab. ¡°So let me get this straight,¡± he said, his voice sharper than he intended. ¡°The Lich created something that could potentially destroy everything he¡¯s built? We¡¯ve got two options: open it and maybe collapse the tower, or sit back and let it blow up in our faces. That about sum it up?¡±

    He knew he sounded dramatic¡ªhell, he was being dramatic¡ªbut the absurdity of the situation left no room for subtlety.

    Caspar didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, his expression softened, a ghost of sadness crossing his face. ¡°Perhaps the Lich tires of immortality, Master Joe. The risk the loot box presents may excite him in ways only he can understand.¡±

    Joe blinked, momentarily thrown. The Lich¡­ bored? That wasn¡¯t the answer he¡¯d been expecting, and it sat uneasily in his gut. ¡°That¡¯s his grand plan? Play chicken with his own tower because he¡¯s tired of being alive?¡±

    Caspar¡¯s tone shifted, his words slower, deliberate. ¡°This tower is his crucible. It tests ascenders, forces decisions, and exacts sacrifice. Every choice carries weight. Every path demands something in return. I have given you what I can. The rest is up to you.¡±

    Joe exhaled, the knot in his chest tightening. The Lich¡¯s motives, the tower¡¯s endless trials, the ever-present clock ticking away at their lives¡ªit was all too much. He felt beaten, but he wasn¡¯t about to give up.

    Not done fighting.

 ATC 2 Ch. 16: Unhinged

    Entering the common room, Joe was struck by how normal everything seemed¡ªor as normal as things got in a murder tower made of living Kaiju parts. It reminded him of back home when someone you loved died. For you, it felt like the world had shattered, but for everyone else, it was just another day.

    He spotted them in a corner booth, heads bent in quiet conversation. Dawn raised a hand to catch his attention, and Joe made his way over. Sliding into the seat, he tried to shake off the strange weight pressing on his chest.

    Brian motioned toward him. ¡°We¡¯re going over the fifth floor titan. Check the alliance chat. Folder labeled ¡®Drillmaw.¡¯¡±

    Joe pulled it up. ¡°Drillmaw? That¡¯s the titan¡¯s name?¡±

    Brian nodded, adjusting his posture like he was ready to give a lecture. ¡°Not the most creative, considering it has drills for hands, or, well, insect equivalents.¡±

    Joe skimmed the shared notes. ¡°Sounds charming.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a burrower to me,¡± TJ cut in. ¡°Back in my world, we had plenty of them. The little ones, like wood-boring weevils, weren¡¯t so bad. But the big ones? Stone burrowers? Dumb, destructive, and impossible to stop. And don¡¯t even get me started on brain-burrowing parasites¡ª¡±

    Rose groaned, raising a hand to cut him off. ¡°Please stop. My stomach¡¯s already on thin ice.¡±

    Brian stroked his goatee. ¡°According to Dawn and Nick, the terrain is earthen. Lots of twisting paths and tunnels.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s eyes went distant for a moment as she checked her map. ¡°It looks like a monster-sized termite mound or ant colony.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach churned. Claustrophobic tunnels filled with who-knew-what waiting to jump out? Fantastic.

    Brian¡¯s brow furrowed as he inhaled his vape pen. ¡°Anyone else notice the elemental pattern?¡±

    Joe glanced at him, not following.

    ¡°Think about it.¡± Brian lowered his vape. ¡°Floor two was fire-dominant, floor four water. Now, floor five is earth.¡±

    Joe thought back to the past floors. Crustacean Cove had been water-focused. Floor two had been a fiery hellscape. ¡°Okay, but what about floor three?¡±

    ¡°That industrial nightmare?¡± Brian shrugged. ¡°Could have been wind, given all the machinery and gas vents.¡±

    It clicked for Joe. ¡°So if the pattern holds, floor six will be wind-based?¡±

    ¡°Could be.¡± Brian released a puff of smoke. ¡°But for now, we need to focus on this floor. Earth-based monsters will likely resist earth attacks.¡±

    Joe sighed, already strategizing how to use his water affinity. He¡¯d have to rely on it more than earth this time.

    Movement near the bunk entrance caught his eye. Gaia appeared, her steps deliberate. She poured herself a glass of water, nodded in Joe¡¯s direction, and returned to the bunks without a word.

    ¡°Ryan okay?¡± Joe leaned in close.

    Dawn nodded, but her face was tight. ¡°It¡¯s hard on all of them. They¡¯re determined to push forward for Luna¡¯s sake. Grizzle made Ryan drink another potion before we all head to the fifth floor. He said it might be a while before we get another chance to rest.¡±

    Joe nodded. The quiet in the room felt heavier now.

    Brian cleared his throat, breaking the silence. ¡°So, about Drillmaw. It says here it¡¯s a velvet ant.¡±

    Joe froze, the name sparking a memory. ¡°Cow killers. My granddad used to call them that. Only the ones here are probably big enough to eat an actual cow.¡±

    ¡°Or bigger.¡± TJ rubbed his chin. ¡°What I want to know is, what¡¯s Drillmaw burrowing for?¡±

    Dawn traced a line on the table with her finger, mimicking twisting tunnels. ¡°Could be expanding its colony or laying groundwork for something worse.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like one of those chicken-and-egg questions.¡± Joe¡¯s attention drifted as a sudden gust of air ruffled his hair.

    With a loud whoosh, the entrance to floor five peeled open like a grotesque, blooming flower. Dirt crumbled from the edges, and Lucky scurried inside, his eyes gleaming with delight. He clapped his small, dirt-caked paws together, scattering clods onto the floor. A slug-like creature slithered out of the wall, dutifully cleaning up the mess with a strange, suctioning noise.

    Rose handed him a wet wipe, which he accepted with a sheepish smile.

    ¡°Such an interesting ecosystem!¡± Lucky rolled down the sleeves of his green hoodie. Despite his greying fur, he moved with the energy of someone half his age.

    ¡°Early bird catches the worm.¡± TJ¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Bet Andras sent you out to scout the floor with that Scavenger¡¯s Luck trait of yours.¡±

    Joe gave a subtle nod, keeping his thoughts to himself, but TJ waved Lucky over.

    ¡°How come you didn¡¯t head straight back to the green zone common room?¡± TJ leaned back in his seat. ¡°If I were a green zoner, I¡¯d be living it up¡­fancy food, fresh-squeezed citrus drinks, all the best resources.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s expression twisted into a frown, like TJ had spoken a foreign language. ¡°I came straight here because I knew you¡¯d be excited to hear about the monsters on this floor. Nobody listens to me in the green zone. Andras only cares about what my Scavenger¡¯s Luck turns up.¡±

    Joe leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of him. ¡°Find anything yet?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s shoulders sagged. ¡°No¡­well, nothing Andras finds useful. He told me to stay out there until I did, but using my trait and skills drains me, you know?¡±

    Brian grinned and opened his tin, pulling out a few pellets. He dropped them into Lucky¡¯s waiting paw. Lucky sniffed them, nibbled, and smacked his lips with audible delight.

    ¡°Yum. I feel better already. You guys are the best.¡±

    Joe waved him off, grinning despite himself.

    Rose chimed in, her tone warm. ¡°So are you, Lucky. Don¡¯t forget that. You¡¯ve helped a lot of people.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s ears twitched, and he beamed at her. ¡°Why thank you, Rose. I like to help. What¡¯s the point of anything if we can¡¯t help each other out?¡± His gaze swept across the room, landing on Robyn, the ratfolk who¡¯d recently joined their faction. ¡°Heard you rescued that fella over there.¡±

    Joe opened his mouth to ask how Lucky knew, but TJ jumped in with a different question. ¡°Alright, spill. What can you tell us about the monsters? What¡¯s Drillmaw doing with those drills?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s eyes lit up, dust sprinkling the table as he clapped his paws. ¡°I¡¯m so glad you asked! Drillmaw uses the drills to burrow holes for its larvae. They¡¯re big brutes¡ªhungry, aggressive, and relentless. Normally, they¡¯re detritus feeders.¡±

    ¡°Detritus?¡± TJ raised an eyebrow. ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°They eat dead and decaying matter. But here?¡± Lucky¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Everything¡¯s different. These aren¡¯t scavengers. They¡¯re meat-eating predators. All of them, except the workers.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess.¡± Joe smirked. ¡°You thought the workers were adorable.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s grin stretched wide. ¡°Yes. They¡¯re so adorable and fluffy! I nearly died from cuteness overload.¡± His grin faded. ¡°However, I kept a respectful distance. Their bright red and black stripes serve as a clear warning.¡±

    ¡°Are they toxic, like poison dart frogs?¡± Joe crossed his arms.

    ¡°Normally, I¡¯d say no.¡± Lucky bit his lip. ¡°But I wasn¡¯t about to test their defense mechanisms. While the system calls them velvet ants, they¡¯re actually a type of wasp. These ones aren¡¯t nomadic like their real-world counterparts. I think either they hijacked an underground nest, probably Yellow Jackets, laying their eggs near the defenseless pupae, or they made the nest themselves and adapted.¡±

    Joe tilted his head. ¡°Any way to tell for sure?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s nose twitched. ¡°You¡¯d have to go down into the tunnels, all the way to the nest and the queen. Not something I was about to risk alone. The floor¡¯s vast, riddled with tunnel entrances, but the real pests are the weevils. They¡¯re not interested in wood here. They¡¯re interested in making you lunch. I ran before they got a taste.¡±

    Joe grimaced. ¡°Yeah, sounds like the right thing to do. We don¡¯t want you becoming fast food.¡±

    Brian leaned back, his eyes distant. ¡°Looking at the titan queen¡¯s stats, she¡¯s incredibly damage-resistant.¡± Brian¡¯s fingers traced the data on his interface. ¡°I¡¯ve got some red bamboo left over from the last floor, but I¡¯d prefer to use it as seed stock. If we burn through it now, we might not have any when we really need it.¡±

    Lucky nodded, his whiskers twitching. ¡°The system won¡¯t tell you, but you need to be ready for some system-variant attacks based on real-world versions. Andras thinks the Lich uses knowledge from all our worlds to shape these monsters and titans.¡±

    That clicked for Joe. It also added weight to his growing suspicion about Caspar¡¯s role. The memory-stripping and the meticulous cataloging wasn¡¯t simply about control. It was a treasure trove of intel. Joe thought back to the Lich¡¯s smug demeanor during the induction. The way he casually dropped knowledge about Earth. How many humans had the Lich pulled into the tower before him? How much had he stolen from their worlds to fuel this nightmare?

    TJ broke Joe¡¯s thoughts. ¡°So what gives us an edge in the boss fight?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s tail flicked. ¡°She¡¯s big, fast, and wingless, which means she¡¯s built for ground speed. Her exoskeleton¡¯s practically indestructible, and her stinger? It¡¯s about half her body length. If you get skewered, the venom¡¯s a solid three out of four on the pain scale. Think deep-fryer oil splashing your guts.¡± He shivered, his ears flattening beneath his mushroom hat. ¡°It¡¯ll hurt.¡±

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    TJ winced. ¡°Lovely. Anything else?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got a stridulatory organ in her abdomen. So expect some nasty sonic attacks. And if you smell something sharp, like burnt sugar and acid? That¡¯s her alarm secretion. It¡¯ll call every drone and soldier within range straight to you.¡±

    Brian tapped his temples, his lips pressed in concentration. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ve added all of this to the alliance chat.¡±

    Joe¡¯s interface pinged with a notification.

    Gaia: Thanks for the update. We¡¯ll be ready to leave shortly. Ryan needs at least another ten minutes to rest.

    Ryan: I feel fine.

    Gaia: You¡¯re not moving for an hour after taking that potion.

    Nick: Drop a pin, Dawn. We¡¯ll meet you there. Looks like there¡¯s plenty of green zoner activity already. Monster swarms aplenty. Be careful.

    Joe glanced toward the floor entrance as another gust swept through the room. A group of ascenders stepped out onto the floor. Using Quick Wit, Joe zoomed in on the mucky terrain. The sky hung heavy and gray, threatening rain. Puddles the size of ponds were scattered everywhere, their surfaces rippling as the ascenders tested for rain before stepping out. The door whooshed shut behind them. Every time it opened, it dropped you into a random location. Finding other factions without a pin drop was next to impossible.

    He turned to Lucky. ¡°We¡¯re heading out. Wish you could come with us.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s whiskers quivered, and his ears drooped. ¡°Me too, but the system won¡¯t allow it. Andras called me back to the green zone. Hopefully, I¡¯ll catch up with you before the boss battle.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to dance to his tune.¡± TJ crossed his arms with a half smile. ¡°At least top off your mana before you go back out there, okay?¡±

    Lucky gave a quick nod, his glossy eyes flicking like he was reading a notification. ¡°Best of luck out there.¡± He flashed a small smile, turned, and left with a swish of his tail.

    Joe watched him go, his gut twisting with unease. ¡°All right.¡± He turned back to the group. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡±

    As the group stood, the screen flickered to life, drawing a hush over the room. The Lich¡¯s pale, ghoulish face filled the display.

    Joe leaned closer to Dawn. ¡°Bit heavy on the try-hard villain chic, huh?¡±

    The Lich¡¯s gaze seemed to sweep the room, a spark of satisfaction flaring in his hollow sockets. ¡°How delightful to see so many of you alive and scheming. Planning. Hoping.¡± His words dragged out like nails across a chalkboard. ¡°Brute strength will only get you so far in this tower. I¡¯m an equal-opportunity type of fellow, and those of you with well-balanced factions will soon reap the rewards.¡±

    Joe tensed, already anticipating the verbal knife twist.

    ¡°Not to make examples of anyone¡­¡± The Lich¡¯s grin widened in mock sympathy. ¡°But consider the Merry Miner Brotherhood. Thuggish, single-minded, but with an impressive kill count¡­until they met their match with my defensive tower guardians.¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes flicked to Merv. The dwarf¡¯s expression was murderous, his lips moving in a low mutter that even Joe¡¯s Quick Wit couldn¡¯t catch. Beside him, Robyn, the little ratfolk, shifted uneasily, his chair scraping as he edged away from the psycho dwarf. Merv¡¯s face had taken on an alarming shade of crimson, veins bulging in his neck. His orange hood shadowed his gnarled brow, but it couldn¡¯t hide the unhinged fury in his eyes.

    ¡°I want to congratulate all of you who have surpassed level 21.¡± The Lich¡¯s voice carried a smug edge. ¡°As for those still at a measly level 20 or lower? They have perished¡ªone way or another.¡±

    Protests erupted from the crowd, fists shaking in the air as voices rose in anger. The Lich remained unfazed, waiting for the noise to simmer down with an almost theatrical patience.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need for such foul insults. Not simply because I could have you GORED in an instant, but because it¡¯s unnecessary. And rude.¡± The Lich clasped his skeletal hands as if addressing a group of unruly children. ¡°I warned you what would happen and gave you ample time to level up. This tower is harsh, yes, but it¡¯s merely a playground compared to the apocalyptic wasteland that awaits you outside. If this tower doesn¡¯t claim you, natural selection will.¡±

    Joe¡¯s chest tightened. Every word felt like a taunt, a reminder of how precarious their existence here truly was.

    ¡°Take poor, na?ve Ascender 36, for example.¡± The Lich released an exaggerated sigh. ¡°She fell victim to a time-thieving scam artist and met her end. Tragic, isn¡¯t it? Some of you are beginning to take your respawn tokens for granted. Whether you have twenty years or three hundred, they are privileges I have generously bestowed upon you. And privileges,¡± his grin sharpened, ¡°can always be revoked.¡±

    The room seemed to pulse in response, the fleshy walls shifting as the veins running through them bulged, rippling under the surface. Joe¡¯s gaze snapped to the entrance as Ryan appeared, flanked by Gaia, Grizzle, and Nick. Ryan¡¯s face was a mask of calm, but his clenched fists and tight posture betrayed the storm brewing beneath.

    A notification pinged in the alliance chat.

    Gaia: Ryan, please calm down. Whatever you¡¯re doing is affecting the quantum threads powering the tower.

    Joe: What do you mean?

    Gaia: Think of my quantum sense like a seismograph. It detects fluctuations in the quantum threads, and right now, Ryan¡¯s interactions are setting it off like an earthquake.

    Joe¡¯s eyes darted to Ryan, whose expression remained unreadable. Gaia nudged his arm, breaking his trance, and he exhaled.

    ¡°I got a notification from the system,¡± Ryan said finally, his voice low as he shook his head. ¡°It says I¡¯m corrupted.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach sank. The word hung in the air like a curse.

    The Lich¡¯s gaze zeroed in on Ryan, his empty sockets narrowing in a way that made Joe¡¯s skin crawl. The silence stretched, heavy and ominous. Joe couldn¡¯t tell if the Lich was intrigued, amused, or both.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re worried, Ascender 62,¡± the Lich said at last, his voice dripping with mock concern. ¡°Worried about what¡¯s happening to you. Your memories are fading, your body changing, turning into something monstrous.¡± His grin stretched impossibly wide across the screen. ¡°But here¡¯s the good news: you can exert your will, influence system-bound guardians. And here¡¯s a hint¡­there are other benefits you haven¡¯t yet discovered. How exciting for you.¡±

    Joe¡¯s fists clenched at his sides. The Lich always had a way of making even ¡°good news¡± sound like a death sentence.

    ¡°However,¡± the Lich¡¯s bony fingers clinked as he tapped them together, ¡°access to such power is a double-edged sword. You can feel it already¡­the transformation, the growing connection to the system. In time, will the system influence you more than you influence it? Something to ponder while your thoughts remain your own. Happy hunting everyone!¡±

    Ryan took a step toward the screen, fists clenched and his scaled hand twitching like he was barely holding himself back.

    Gaia moved swiftly, placing a firm hand on his arm to stop him. ¡°Not now.¡±

    The screen flickered off, leaving only the distorted reflections of stunned faces. The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the faint hum of the tower itself.

    Ryan turned, his pace urgent as he approached Joe. ¡°Need to confess anything?¡± His voice was tight, loaded with something unspoken.

    Joe blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Uh, sure.¡± He nodded. Joe understood the look in Ryan¡¯s eyes. It wasn¡¯t about guilt; it was about privacy. ¡°I¡¯d like to make a confession,¡± he added louder, triggering the menu to appear.

    Selecting the same faith as before, Joe barely registered the soundproof bubble forming around them. His mind was already spinning, thoughts piling up like debris in a storm. He studied Ryan¡¯s face, his features harder now, the faint lines of exhaustion etched deeper. The scaled hand flexed at his side, the transformation more defined than before, veins of dark green webbing across the clawed digits.

    Ryan exhaled, the sound heavy and raw. ¡°The Lich is taunting me, trying to break me,¡± he began, his tone measured but simmering with restrained anger. ¡°I won¡¯t let him win. I¡¯ll use every advantage this kaiju infection gives me while I still can. But¡­¡± His voice faltered for the briefest moment before he pressed on. ¡°There will come a time when I¡¯m no longer in control. When I¡¯ll be a danger to everyone.¡±

    Joe¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°If that happens¡ªand that¡¯s a big if¡ªwe¡¯ll find a way to fix it.¡± He refused to accept the implication.

    Ryan shook his head, his expression both resigned and determined. ¡°I¡¯m not giving up, Joe. I¡¯ve always had hope, like Luna did. But I need to be realistic. If it comes to that, I need you to promise me something.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach churned. He already knew where this was headed. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± His voice cracked. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me to¡ª¡±

    Ryan placed his scaled hand on Joe¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken to Gaia. She knows what needs to be done if the time comes. All I¡¯m asking of you is not to stop her.¡±

    Joe¡¯s throat tightened, the request twisting something deep inside him. He lowered his gaze, unable to look Ryan in the eye. ¡°Please don¡¯t ask me that.¡±

    Ryan sighed. ¡°I know it¡¯s unfair. But I trust you, Joe.¡±

    Joe felt sick to his stomach. What Ryan was asking wasn¡¯t just hard, it was unbearable. Standing by while Gaia ended Ryan¡¯s life felt like a betrayal, no matter how much logic told him it was for the greater good.

    ¡°What about your respawn token?¡± Joe tugged the cord on his hoodie. ¡°You¡¯ll keep coming back.¡±

    Ryan shook his head. ¡°Gaia and Grizzle have been working on that. I didn¡¯t bring it up in the alliance chat because it¡¯s not something everyone needs to know just yet.¡± He flexed his scaled hand. ¡°Gaia examined her own respawn token using her mana sense. She thinks the tether to our soul banks can be unraveled. If that¡¯s true, respawns could be used differently or even transferred. But breaking the tether would require a high-level artificer and sorcerer working together.¡±

    Joe stared at him, stunned. ¡°You¡¯re telling me¡­these tokens could be hacked? Transferred? Like, to anyone?¡±

    Ryan nodded. ¡°In time, yes. That¡¯s why Andras has been hoarding them. Right now, he can¡¯t manipulate the years on the tokens he¡¯s collected, but if he figures out the tether? He¡¯ll have an infinite supply of respawns. No one would be able to stop him.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach churned. It was all starting to make sense¡ªthe hoarding, the promises, Andras¡¯ smug confidence. ¡°Andras doesn¡¯t only want power; he wants to make himself untouchable.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Ryan nodded. ¡°That¡¯s why we can¡¯t waste time.¡±

    Ryan¡¯s eyes bore into Joe¡¯s, his scaled brow furrowed. ¡°Will you do what I ask?¡±

    Joe clenched his fists. Every fiber of his being wanted to shout ¡°no,¡± to reject the very idea. But he couldn¡¯t ignore the trust in Ryan¡¯s eyes, or the weight of the situation pressing down on them all. Finally, he nodded. ¡°I will. But I swear, I¡¯m going to do everything I can to stop the system from taking you over.¡±

    Ryan¡¯s smile was faint but genuine. ¡°You¡¯re a good friend, Joe. Thank you.¡±

    The confession bubble popped with a soft hiss, and the hum of the common room filled Joe¡¯s ears again. He felt like he was surfacing from deep water, the weight of the conversation still dragging at him.

    Merv approached them as Joe led the way toward the entrance to the fifth floor. The dwarf looked as shifty as a con artist at a cop convention. He scratched his beard and leaned against the wall. ¡°Eh, you guys go on ahead. I¡¯ll catch up.¡±

    Robyn tugged at TJ¡¯s arm. ¡°My legs are healed now. I can keep up with you out there.¡±

    TJ exchanged a concerned look with Brian. ¡°You know what? I bet you can, but how about you stay here with Merv instead?¡± He leveled a hard stare at the dwarf. ¡°You¡¯ll take good care of him, won¡¯t you?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t phrased as a request, and Merv¡¯s lip curled in irritation. ¡°I¡¯m no babysitter.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a baby.¡± Robyn huffed, his furry chin trembling with indignation.

    Joe, sensing the tension rising, decided to steer the conversation. ¡°So, Merv, where are you heading?¡±

    Merv¡¯s posture straightened. ¡°I hate that bastard Lich, but he¡¯s got a point. The Merry Miners were all brawn, steel-hard determination, and, well¡­big hairy balls.¡± He thumped his chest, his eyes glossing over. ¡°And it got my men killed.¡±

    The raw emotion in his voice silenced everyone for a beat. He cleared his throat. ¡°But I owe it to their memory to rise up as the last of the crew. I was generous to a fault, y¡¯know. Gave Fupa some extra time when he was on the verge of getting gored. Bit of a gambler, Fupa was, but hey, nobody¡¯s perfect.¡±

    He paused, as if daring someone to challenge him. When the group stayed quiet, he continued. ¡°So I¡¯m off to the red zone battlebox. Easy pickings there.¡±

    Joe frowned. ¡°That¡¯s a tough slog, though. There¡¯s not much time up for grabs.¡±

    Merv shrugged, his expression hardening. ¡°I¡¯ll take what I can get. The battles¡¯ll be over before they start. No red zoner¡¯s got the skills to beat me. Green zone challenges would be nice, but let¡¯s face it, no faction¡¯s gonna sponsor the likes of me.¡±

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Robyn nodded with a little too much enthusiasm. ¡°You¡¯ve got an awful reputation.¡±

    Merv glared at the ratfolk, his jaw tightening. Robyn shrank back, looking sheepish.

    Joe rested a hand on Robyn¡¯s shoulder. ¡°TJ¡¯s right. Stick with Merv and make sure he stays out of trouble, okay?¡± He gave Robyn a playful grin. ¡°If you need us, just send a message in the alliance chat.¡±

    Robyn¡¯s chest puffed up with determination. ¡°I can do that!¡±

 ATC 2 Ch. 17: More Trouble Than Its Worth

    Joe¡¯s breaths came in heavy gasps as he claimed the loot from the dead bugs before they disappeared in a rainbow haze. A light drizzle coated him as they moved on, the soft earth squelching beneath his boots.

    TJ grinned wiping monster weevil guts from his machete. ¡°If this is the welcome party, I can¡¯t wait to see what¡¯s waiting for us deeper in.¡±

    Joe checked his stats and grinned.

    [Congratulations Ascender 50 you have reached Silver Rank Quantum Resonance Level 31.]

    There were no hard decisions to make. He added six flex points to his constitution stat so that he would be less likely to die, because whatever he was going up against could be faster or stronger than him. Plus, use of his respawn token would decrease his life expectancy as well as his ascender number. His stomach knotted. After seeing what happened with Luna and the Lich¡¯s unreliable system resets, he couldn¡¯t be as reliant on others.

    He sighed, hoping he¡¯d gain a new skill. So far, he¡¯d only gained abilities for his Quick Wit skill. This set of level up notifications were no different.

    [Bonus Rewards for rogue class.]

    [Quick Wit Level 5! Ability Glitch Flick improved - Clever misdirection.]

    He continued scanning, but the new debuff was a harsh reminder of the price he''d paid for the loot box information. Thanks to Caspar taking one of his memories, he could see the Cat Got Your Tongue debuff long before reaching QRL 40. If Halcyon was right, the blue flame had somehow managed to save most of his memories compared to the others. It wasn¡¯t his place to tell them, they¡¯d find out soon enough about the debuff. He closed his interface as they approached the dirt mounds.

    Taking the lead, Dawn guided them toward the nearest tunnel entrance, the path dotted with puddles large enough to swallow a boot. Joe took cautious steps, his eyes darting toward the murky water, half-expecting something to leap out.

    Dawn crouched near the tunnel¡¯s gaping maw and tapped her map interface. She dropped a pin location and sent a quick update to the Blanche Brigade. Within moments, Nick¡¯s response came through the chat.

    Nick: Inbound in T minus 20 minutes. Found weevils the size of a pony. Taming them as mounts. Go on ahead, we¡¯ll catch up.

    Joe blinked at the message. ¡°Pony-sized weevils. Of course he¡¯s taming them.¡±

    The air inside the tunnel was thick and humid, carrying the scent of damp earth, decay, and an odd sweetness that made Joe¡¯s nose twitch. Activating Quick Wit, he picked up faint drilling noises in the distance, mingled with clicks and the occasional chittering echo.

    The ground beneath their feet was a compact blend of rock and dirt, the walls covered in a lattice of pulsing, fleshy veins that glowed. Brian crouched to inspect them, his fingers hovering but not touching.

    ¡°Larval Veins,¡± he announced, his voice low. ¡°These carry nutrients to the queen¡¯s chamber at the colony¡¯s center. Destroying them could disrupt her control over the swarm¡ªbut it¡¯ll enrage her.¡±

    Joe grimaced at the pulsing threads. ¡°Noted. Let¡¯s leave them alone for now.¡±

    As they ventured deeper, something on the wall caught Joe¡¯s eye. ¡°Are those¡­drawings?¡±

    The images reminded him of primitive cave paintings, crude figures and beasts sketched in dark pigments. He stepped closer, tilting his head to get a better look.

    ¡°The hunters look like cows standing on two legs.¡± Joe squinted at the angular shapes.

    ¡°Are they carrying pole-arms?¡± Rose''s face scrunched. ¡°I thought cows were plant eaters.¡±

    ¡°Not in this tower.¡± Joe placed a hand on the wall.

    Rose traced her finger along what looked like symbols near the painted figures. ¡°Oooow,¡± she sounded out.

    ¡°Oooow?¡± TJ echoed, scowling. ¡°What the hell¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    Brian stepped forward, inspecting the markings with a smirk. ¡°Moo,¡± he said, his voice laced with amusement.

    TJ glared at him. ¡°Are you blind?¡±

    Brian grinned, then, with surprising ease, grabbed TJ and flipped him upside down. ¡°Read it now¡ªfrom left to right.¡±

    ¡°Moooo!¡± TJ growled. ¡°Now let me down, ya smartass!¡±

    Joe bit back a laugh, his spirits lifting for a moment. Even in a place like this, humor found a way to sneak in. He shook his head and gestured for them to move on.

    Dawn paused at the fork in the tunnel, her gaze distant as she focused on her map interface. Joe scanned both tunnels, Quick Wit sharpening his hearing for any hint of movement, while TJ and Brian stood ready, weapons poised. Rose leaned on her staff, her fingers tapping a slow rhythm on its shaft.

    ¡°This one¡¯s ancient.¡± Dawn¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Barely any activity, not even guards posted. It should take us closer to the lip of the colony¡¯s main entrance, well, if you can call it that.¡±

    Joe raised a brow. ¡°Lip? You make it sound like we¡¯re diving into a giant mouth.¡±

    Dawn shot him a look. ¡°Think of a wasp nest. You know, those things dangling from trees back home? Only this one¡¯s buried underground, with one main entrance at the base.¡±

    ¡°How wonderful!¡± Halcyon cast a surge of heat against Joe¡¯s chest. ¡°Keep alert. I don¡¯t exactly love the idea of us crawling into an earth-bound death hive.¡±

    Joe kicked a stray pebble into the shadows.

    According to Dawn¡¯s map, the surface swarms had most ascenders tied up, but a few groups had ventured below. She squinted at her interface, her lips tightening. ¡°Looks like one small group of green zoners is heading this way, fast.¡±

    Joe leaned in. ¡°How many?¡±

    ¡°Ten. Looks like an alliance¡­probably more than one faction working together.¡±

    TJ smirked. ¡°Let me guess, we can either play nice or see if they¡¯ve got loose teeth.¡±

    Brian huffed. ¡°We stick to the right, we avoid them. Take the left, and they¡¯ll intercept us where their tunnel meets ours.¡±

    Joe scratched his chin, weighing the options. ¡°Which one gets us closer to the queen?¡±

    Dawn hesitated. ¡°Left¡¯s faster, but¡­¡± She trailed off, glancing at Brian. ¡°We should stick to the right. No reason to get tangled up in someone else¡¯s mess.¡±

    TJ let out a low chuckle. ¡°Friendly or not, if they reach the titan first, they¡¯ll lock us out of the fight. Let¡¯s take the left. If they¡¯re hostile, well¡­¡± He cracked his knuckles. ¡°I¡¯m all for roasting first and asking questions never.¡±

    Rose raised her staff, the faint glow of mana humming along its edges. ¡°The system rewards risk. Better to know now if we¡¯re up against allies or backstabbers. I can throw up a defensive shield if things get ugly.¡±

    Joe nodded. ¡°Agreed. They¡¯ve probably got a map reader too, so they already know we¡¯re here. No point playing coy if they¡¯re sending people to cut us off.¡±

    With that, Dawn pivoted toward the left tunnel, leading the way. Joe activated Quick Wit, his senses sharp as they moved.

    Several minutes in, the tunnel widened. Joe stiffened as soft footfalls echoed from ahead. A small figure scurried toward them on all fours, head down like it was tracking a scent. Ten paces away, the creature reared onto its hind legs.

    Joe¡¯s tension eased and he loosened the grip on his knife. ¡°Lucky.¡± The ratfolk¡¯s familiar green aura flickered as he drained a mana potion.

    ¡°I¡¯m so happy I found you!¡± Lucky squeaked, his whiskers twitching as he looked over his shoulder. Nine green-hooded ascenders emerged behind him, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.

    Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Andras isn¡¯t with you?¡± He kept his tone light but let the question hang.

    Lucky wrung his little paws together, his brows pulling tight. ¡°He¡¯s¡­well,¡± His voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°I cannot say. You understand.¡± His lips pressed tight, his expression pained.

    Restraining spell, Joe guessed, filing that nugget away.

    Even so, something about Lucky¡¯s timing made his neck prickle. How had he found them so fast on a floor this big? Joe scanned the group behind him. Mostly elves, a couple humans, all silent and disinterested. Not exactly the friendliest crew.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Trouble on the surface?¡± Joe tugged a cord on his hood.

    ¡°No,¡± one of the elves said, not bothering to make eye contact.

    ¡°We¡¯re the Titan Slayers.¡± Rose¡¯s wry smile dared them to react.

    ¡°We know.¡± The elf in the front snapped, his tone as frosty as his glare.

    An awkward silence followed. TJ broke it with a sharp, ¡°And you are?¡±

    ¡°Leaving.¡± The elf growled, shoving Lucky forward. The ratfolk stumbled, but TJ caught him, steadying him with one hand.

    ¡°Oops, how clumsy of me.¡± Lucky released a nervous laugh, his ears drooping.

    TJ stepped forward, but Brian moved faster, spreading his arms wide with a potion in hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got a cure for that, Lucky.¡± His deep voice remained calm despite his menacing appearance as he loomed over the elf. ¡°Sadly, there¡¯s no cure for being a prime asshole.¡±

    The elf flinched, but before he could respond, a scurrying sound echoed through the tunnel. All of the green zoners raised their weapons in unison.

    Lucky perked up, clapping his paws. ¡°No need, no need! It¡¯s only a worker ant, or wasp, technically. Cute, fluffy, harmless. You¡¯ll see.¡±

    The lead elf raised his blade. ¡°Makes it easier to kill.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Lucky squeaked, his voice rising in alarm. ¡°Killing it will release alert pheromones from a gland in its mandible! This tunnel will swarm with warriors in seconds if you do that.¡±

    As the velvet ant approached, Brian eased back to join Joe and the others, his eyes narrowing.

    A chat notification pinged across Joe¡¯s vision.

    Brian: These guys are a mix of two factions, both in friendly status with Andras Alliance.

    TJ: Surprise, surprise.

    Joe shook his head, focusing on the ant. Despite being the size of a large dog, Lucky wasn¡¯t wrong. It was ridiculously cute. Fluffy red-and-black stripes ran down its body, and a tuft of fur on its head gave it a punk-rock mohawk. But something about it felt¡­off. Its movements were stiff, almost mechanical, like a wind-up toy. And its eyes¡ªblack crystal fractals that seemed to drink in the dim light of the tunnel¡ªmade Joe¡¯s stomach tighten.

    The ant ignored them entirely, zeroing in on the fat globs of jello Lucky had carefully placed on the rocky ground. It hesitated, testing the jello with its pilli feelers before prodding it with its mandibles. After a few clicks, it sliced off a chunk, held it, and turned back the way it had come.

    ¡°Fascinating, now let¡¯s go,¡± one of the smaller elves drawled, arms crossed as he watched. ¡°Lucky, do your thing.¡±

    Lucky sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Patience, Dolfric. Didn¡¯t the Elven Dingleberry Clan teach you that?¡±

    Joe snorted at the name, earning a glare from Dolfric. Meanwhile, Lucky kept going. ¡°If I overuse my Scavenger¡¯s Luck, my mana core strains. You want me out of commission for hours?¡±

    The lead elf snapped his fingers. ¡°We can take it from here. Map says the hive¡¯s not far. If we follow that pathetic ant, it¡¯ll lead us straight there. Lucky can do as he pleases, but if he stays, he¡¯s on his own.¡±

    ¡°But Andras said¡ª¡± one of the younger elves blurted out. The leader slapped him across the face so hard the sound cracked through the tunnel.

    ¡°You¡¯re my bitch, not his,¡± the leader snarled. ¡°Andras has plenty of his own.¡± His sharp glare cut toward Lucky, who flinched but didn¡¯t respond.

    Joe clenched his fists, catching the way TJ¡¯s jaw tensed. It would be so easy to start something, but a fight down here, outnumbered and underground, was a losing game.

    Lucky, clearly trying to diffuse the tension, pointed to the jello. ¡°If you¡¯d wait a moment, you¡¯ll see something marvelous. I expect the worker to return with friends to collect the rest.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not waiting.¡± The leader gestured for his followers to move. ¡°We know where we¡¯re going. Lucky, if you stay here you are no longer under our protection.¡± He strode off, the rest of his green-hooded crew sneering as they passed the Titan Slayers.

    ¡°Good riddance.¡± Brian crossed his arms as they disappeared further down the tunnel. He glanced at the ant¡¯s retreating form. ¡°Think we can follow the worker back? Maybe there¡¯s a shortcut.¡±

    Dawn checked her map again. She shook her head. ¡°If there¡¯s a shortcut, it¡¯s not showing up here.¡± She turned to Lucky. ¡°Unless you know something we don¡¯t.¡±

    Lucky shrugged, his whiskers twitching. ¡°I follow instinct and my knowledge of beasts and plants. If there¡¯s another way in, it¡¯s not obvious. Workers and scouts tend to stick to familiar routes. They¡¯ll use the same path we would.¡±

    Brian tapped his temple. ¡°I¡¯ve identified the ant. Shared the details in chat.¡±

    Joe¡¯s notification flickered up:

    [Worker No. 42 of the 101st Bajillion Brood:

    Harold the hardworking scout is beloved by his peers, who trust him implicitly after over a million successful foraging missions. Trust is the glue of Harold¡¯s world, binding his colony together as they serve and protect their Queen. Harold is happy. Harold is important. Harold is the kind of ant you¡¯d want on your team.]

    TJ: Little does he know, trust is a fragile thing.

    The sound of faint clicking echoed through the tunnel, followed by a low chittering.

    Joe stiffened, his Quick Wit sharpening his focus. ¡°Looks like Harold¡¯s bringing friends.¡±

    Dawn crouched, her hands on her knees, watching the ant labeled ¡°Harold¡± scuttle towards them. The little guy looked determined for a level-one creature. ¡°Look at them, bless their tiny hearts. They¡¯re simply trying to survive like the rest of us.¡±

    TJ crossed his arms, a skeptical brow shooting up. ¡°If you could, would you keep him as a pet?¡±

    Dawn stood, brushing dirt from her hands. ¡°No way. I had a pet rat once. Willie. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I¡¯ve ever done. I¡¯m not putting myself through that again.¡±

    Joe blinked, surprised. Dawn didn¡¯t usually drop nuggets about her past like that.

    Brian squinted, clearly trying to piece something together. ¡°Wait, weren¡¯t you¡­ratfolk in your last life? And there were also rats in your world?¡±

    Dawn hesitated, just a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face before she recovered. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s not weird where I¡¯m from. We¡¯ve got a character called Hello Kitty. It¡¯s a little cat girl who has a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.¡±

    Brian stroked his goatee, clearly still mulling over the logic. ¡°I see.¡±

    Joe, sensing the tension, jumped in with a grin. ¡°Makes total sense. My world had Goofy and Pluto. A dog owning a dog. Nobody blinked an eye.¡±

    They all stepped aside, giving Harold and his entourage space to access the jello. But when Joe turned back, his stomach sank. The jello was gone. In its place sat a stone about the size of a tennis ball.

    TJ leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, an innocent look plastered across his face. ¡°What? It¡¯s the same shape.¡±

    The ants didn¡¯t seem to agree. They surrounded the rock, their chittering rising to a sharp, angry pitch. The sound turned eerie, a discordant hum echoing through the tunnel.

    It happened in a flash. Poor Harold, the unwitting hero, didn¡¯t stand a chance. His so-called pals turned on him, swarming over his fuzzy body in a frenzy of mandibles and fury.

    Joe jerked back, alarmed. ¡°Holy! What just happened?¡±

    Lucky let out a strangled squeak, his paws trembling as tears welled up in his eyes. ¡°No! Poor Harold!¡±

    Brian tilted his head. ¡°Tragic but it may be to our benefit. Their trust network collapses when faced with deception. It disrupts the harmony in the colony and provides a distraction we can use.¡±

    Lucky¡¯s tearful eyes widened.

    TJ clapped him on the shoulder, his grin sharp and unapologetic. ¡°See, little buddy. Harold the Brave took one for the team. Let¡¯s honor him by using the chaos he left behind.¡±

    The chittering around them intensified, echoing off the tunnel walls like a rising tide of anger. Dawn motioned ahead with her staff. ¡°The distraction won¡¯t last. May Nerus have mercy on him. Let¡¯s move.¡±

    The group moved quickly, their boots crunching against the gritty, uneven floor. They hadn¡¯t gone far when Lucky froze, his ears twitching. ¡°Wait¡­there¡¯s another ratfolk nearby.¡±

    Dawn stopped, narrowing her eyes. ¡°How do you know?¡±

    Lucky blinked, as if the answer was obvious. ¡°By using Picture Sense, of course.¡±

    TJ¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Picture Sense? Are you guys part of some hive mind?¡±

    Lucky shook his head. ¡°Nothing like that. But we can sense when other ratfolk are nearby and share simple images and feelings.¡±

    ¡°Like smell-o-vision?¡± Joe quipped, trying to keep things light.

    Lucky blinked again, clearly not following.

    Dawn¡¯s expression sharpened. ¡°He¡¯s right. Someone¡¯s approaching fast¡ªan orange zoner, and they¡¯re alone.¡±

    Joe tensed, gripping his weapon tighter. Who in their right mind would travel alone?

    Lucky raised his paws in a calming gesture. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he means no harm. He¡¯s looking for his faction. Oh¡­¡± His whiskers twitched as his gaze settled on TJ. ¡°He¡¯s looking for you.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± TJ¡¯s scowl deepened.

    Joe already had a hunch. A blur of orange shot down the tunnel and screeched to a halt in front of them, kicking up muck.

    ¡°Robyn?¡± Joe¡¯s brows raised.

    The little ratfolk leapt at TJ, wrapping his tiny arms around TJ¡¯s thick forearm. TJ looked down, clearly uncomfortable, as Robyn clung to him like a lifeline. Before TJ could react, Brian stepped in, gently pried Robyn loose, and gave him a quick, reassuring hug before setting him back on his hind legs.

    Joe folded his arms. ¡°Where are your boots?¡±

    Robyn wiggled his bare toes in the muck with a sheepish grin. ¡°I¡¯m faster on four paws, so I stored them in my inventory.¡±

    TJ¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°Where¡¯s Merv?¡±

    Robyn¡¯s smile faltered. ¡°He, uh¡­threatened to punch me in the face if I didn¡¯t scram.¡±

    TJ¡¯s fists clenched, his knuckles white. ¡°Why the hell would he say that?¡±

    Robyn hesitated, his ears flattening. ¡°He was¡­talking to a time loan shark in the red zone.¡± His eyes widened in panic, and he slapped a paw over his mouth. ¡°I wasn¡¯t supposed to say that.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t cover for him.¡± TJ popped his neck as if he was readying to fight. ¡°You owe him nothing.¡±

    Robyn gulped, looking genuinely frightened. ¡°I just¡­I didn¡¯t want him to¡­you know¡­hurt me.¡±

    Joe frowned, trying to piece it together. ¡°What was he doing with a loan shark? How do you even know?¡±

    They don¡¯t exactly hand out business cards.

    Robyn shuffled his paws. ¡°I, uh¡­I have a skill. Part of my philosopher class. It¡¯s called Reveal Truth¡­¡±

    Before he could elaborate, his eyes went wide as they locked onto Lucky. ¡°Wait. Are you Lucky?¡±

    Lucky tilted his head. ¡°That¡¯s me.¡±

    Robyn¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet you! So many of us look up to you. There¡¯s not many of us with Scavenger¡¯s Luck and fewer still make it to the green zone. Do they still treat you like dirt, like the rest of us?¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s blunt.¡± Dawn raised an eyebrow.

    Robyn¡¯s ears drooped. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Sometimes Reveal Truth makes me say what¡¯s on my mind, even if I don¡¯t mean to. It¡¯s like I¡¯m compelled.¡±

    Lucky shrugged, his expression understanding. ¡°You can¡¯t help it. Like I can¡¯t help finding things. Sometimes they¡¯re worth finding, sometimes they¡¯re not. We don¡¯t always get to choose, do we?¡±

    Joe exchanged a look with TJ, silently agreeing that Robyn¡¯s honesty might be more trouble than it was worth, but at least he was genuine.

 ATC 2 Ch. 18: Get Lucky

    The tunnel started to widen as Joe listened to Lucky and Robyn chatting like they were best friends.

    Robyn bounced alongside Lucky, his eyes wide with curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s the worst, most useless thing you¡¯ve ever found with Scavenger¡¯s Luck?¡±

    Lucky wrinkled his nose, his whiskers twitching with distaste. ¡°False teeth. They still had food stuck in them.¡±

    ¡°Yuck!¡± Rose gagged, quickening her pace to escape the conversation, joining Dawn and Brian up ahead.

    Joe rubbed his chin. ¡°How much control do you have over Scavenger¡¯s Luck now?¡±

    Lucky¡¯s ears twitched. ¡°Up until QRL 15, it was like spinning a wheel¡ªsometimes you got a nice surprise, sometimes nasty. Now I can boost the skill for more control, but it costs extra mana. That¡¯s how I found you guys.¡±

    Joe raised a brow. ¡°Impressive. I had a feeling it wasn¡¯t by accident.¡±

    Lucky hesitated, his tail flicking. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to mention it earlier, but yeah¡ªI burned extra mana to find you. The mission was to guide those two factions into the colony as quickly and safely as possible and then report the route back to Andras so his faction could follow.¡±

    ¡°As usual, he¡¯s got you doing his donkey work.¡± TJ snorted, though his expression softened when Lucky¡¯s ears drooped. ¡°Look, I¡¯m just saying¡ªdon¡¯t let that guy walk all over you.¡±

    Lucky shrugged, his voice quiet. ¡°Say what you like about Andras, but those factions protected me topside. They lost an elf to a weevil swarm.¡±

    TJ¡¯s face hardened. ¡°My heart bleeds for them.¡± Under Lucky¡¯s pointed glare, he sighed. ¡°I¡¯m blunt as a bag of hammers, but I¡¯m looking out for you, little bro.¡±

    Lucky nodded and turned to Robyn, who launched into a story about leveling up his Gnaw and Iron Belly skills during the industrial nightmare of floor three.

    Joe only half-listened, his mind turning to an idea. Could Lucky help them find the first clue to open Rose¡¯s rare loot box? Caspar had hinted that Poppy might help, but Joe hadn¡¯t followed up yet.

    Falling back a step, Joe opened a private channel. ¡°Hey, Poppy. You there?¡±

    Her little avatar popped into the corner of his vision, bright and bubbly. ¡°Yip-yip, Joe! Poppy here!¡±

    ¡°Caspar mentioned you might be able to help.¡±

    ¡°Poppy loves to help Joe! Ask, ask!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the best, Poppy. Here¡¯s the thing¡ªwe¡¯ve got that rare loot box Rose snagged in the Red Bamboo Lagoon. Caspar said we need three clues to open it, and the first one¡¯s hidden on this floor. Any chance you can help us narrow it down?¡±

    Poppy bounced with excitement, pixelated sparkles erupting around her as she traced a starlit trail with her paw. ¡°Poppy can¡¯t say where! Big, big floor. You have three in seventeen hundred chances of finding it with the help of your faction.¡±

    Joe winced. ¡°Not great odds.¡±

    ¡°Not good odds, but you could get Lucky!¡± She gave him a cartoonishly exaggerated nod and wink.

    Joe smirked, catching her drift. ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, no more help to give!¡± She trilled, spinning in a circle and humming a familiar pop tune. ¡°I should be so Lucky, with my rubber ducky¡­la la la la la la laaaaah!¡± Then, with a flourish, she vanished.

    Joe blinked. ¡°Well, that was¡­ strange. Even for Poppy.¡±

    He looked up to find Lucky chatting with Robyn, his ears twitching as he described another scavenging adventure. Joe¡¯s smirk grew. It seemed the little guy might be the key to solving this puzzle after all.

    ***

    The veins on the wall pulsed in rhythm, each contraction followed by a low whooshing sound. Dawn slowed, throwing a questioning glance at Joe.

    His breath hitched. The sound reminded him of the steady thump of his sister Emma¡¯s heartbeat. An old memory surfaced. The one where he¡¯d first heard her beating heart through the doctor¡¯s ¡®magic wand¡¯ when she was still in his mom¡¯s belly. Back then, he¡¯d been thrilled to become a big brother. ¡°Man of the house,¡± they¡¯d called him, though all it really meant was more chores while his friends played.

    When Emma was born things got complicated. Their mom got sick, Granddad moved in, and Joe got angry because no one would tell him what was wrong or let him see his baby sister while she was stuck in the hospital for weeks. He¡¯d thought doctors could fix everything. It turned out, life wasn¡¯t that simple.

    He shoved the memory down. He couldn¡¯t afford to get lost in the past.

    ¡°These veins.¡± Joe tried to keep his voice steady as he tapped the wall. ¡°They carry food to the Queen¡¯s larval chamber, right?¡± He glanced at Brian. ¡°Think they also work like an alert system? Chemical signals or something?¡±

    Brian nodded, looking grim.

    ¡°Shit.¡± Dawn froze in place.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Joe''s stomach dropped, already dreaded the answer.

    Dawn¡¯s eyes stayed locked on her map. ¡°The map¡¯s lit up like Christmas at the mall. Looks like those green zoners killed the guards at the entrance, and now the whole colony¡¯s waking up.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s just one way in and out, right?¡± Joe glanced over his shoulder.

    Dawn nodded. ¡°Yeah, but the colony¡¯s a maze. The Queen¡¯s chamber is in the middle, but there are dead-end tunnels everywhere. No activity in some, we could use one to avoid a swarm but no guarantees they won¡¯t find and corner us.¡±

    Joe looked at Robyn. ¡°Think you could burrow us into another tunnel if we hit a dead end?¡±

    Robyn scratched behind his ear, his tail flicking. ¡°Maybe. Depends on how close the tunnels are.¡±

    Dawn frowned. ¡°I can¡¯t zoom in enough to say for sure, but it looks like it might be possible.¡±

    Joe pulled a smoke pellet from his inventory and held it up. ¡°Would this help? Aren¡¯t ants supposed to hate smoke?¡±

    Brian crossed his arms. ¡°These aren¡¯t regular ants. They¡¯re wasps, remember? System-modified, so who knows what they hate.¡±

    ¡°At the very least, it¡¯ll block their view.¡± Joe shrugged.

    Lucky¡¯s ears perked up. ¡°Smoke¡¯s good, but you know what¡¯s better? Messing with their antennae. If Rose can whip up some mist, the vapor could coat their feelers and interfere with them detecting pheromone signals.¡±

    Rose nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve got Cooling Mist. I use it to prevent heat exhaustion, but it might work.¡±

    Lucky clapped his paws, bouncing forward on his toes. ¡°Perfect! The temperature drop will slow them down, too. It¡¯ll mess with their metabolism.¡±

    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    When they reached the entrance to the colony, the scene was chaotic. Shredded bits of paper-like hive material framed the opening, scorched and cracked as if a fireball had gone off. A sickly sweet scent of pheromones wafted out, mingling with distant screeches and shouts.

    Dawn checked her map again. ¡°There¡¯s a wide tunnel to the left and a bunch of narrow ones to the right. The left is going to be carnage city, so we¡¯re going right. Stick close.¡±

    Joe waited for Dawn¡¯s signal, his fingers twitching around the smoke pellet.

    ¡°Now.¡± She nodded.

    Joe activated Shadow Step and darted into the tunnel. He moved twenty paces to the left, his heart pounding as he caught sight of what was left of the green hoodies. They were being torn apart, their screams drowned by the angry chittering of the swarm. He hurled the smoke bomb and vanished back to the group as Dawn ushered everyone into the right tunnel.

    The air grew tighter, the walls narrowing until Joe felt like the tunnel itself was closing in. Behind them, the sounds of scurrying feet echoed louder, accompanied by frantic ant screeches. There was no turning back.

    The dead end loomed ahead, made of compacted earth and chewed hive material. Joe pressed his hand against it. Solid. He glanced at Robyn, whose rat-like paws flexed.

    ¡°You sure about this, little guy?¡± Rose raised a brow.

    Robyn grinned, showing off oversized incisors. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got this.¡±

    He picked up a stone, crunched it in his jaws with a horrifyingly loud crack, and swallowed. His fur shimmered, taking on a stony texture. ¡°Stand back, ten paces. Safety first!¡±

    With his tail whipping like a propeller, Robyn dove into the wall. Dirt and hive material flew in thick clods as he burrowed through with the enthusiasm of a kid digging into chocolate ice cream.

    Dim light peeked through after a few moments. By the time he finished, the tunnel was reinforced with sticks and vines he¡¯d somehow woven into place.

    Brian crawled through last, grunting as TJ helped him stand. The low ceiling forced them all to crouch.

    ¡°I¡¯m impressed.¡± Brian massaged his back. ¡°You didn¡¯t just dig through¡ªyou stabilized the whole thing. Clever work.¡±

    Robyn flushed under the praise. ¡°Just common sense.¡±

    Dawn waved them forward. ¡°Let¡¯s move. This tunnel¡¯s empty now, but it won¡¯t stay that way.¡±

    The air grew warmer and stale as they wound through the narrow passages. The dampness clung to Joe¡¯s skin like it was seeping into his bones.

    The entrance to the Queen¡¯s chamber stretched ahead, dark and yawning like the open maw of some prehistoric predator. Joe¡¯s boots skidded to a halt, his stomach doing somersaults. Two velvet ants the size of ponies blocked the way, their red-and-black fluff deceptively soft-looking. The rippling muscle beneath their exoskeletons told a much deadlier story.

    ¡°Uh, those ones are...not cuddly.¡± Joe took a step back as the ants'' crystal-black eyes locked onto him. The clicking of their mandibles was almost hypnotic¡ªuntil one of them let out a screech so high-pitched it felt like someone was trying to saw his skull open.

    Without hesitation, they charged.

    Joe¡¯s body moved before his brain could catch up. ¡°Rose! Cooling Mist! Do the thing¡ªnow!¡±

    Rose swung her staff.  A glowing blue mist erupted from the staff, arcing toward the ants. The fine spray clung to their fur, making their antennae twitch like they¡¯d just been hit with a high-voltage static shock. The charging beasts faltered, their steps jerky and uncoordinated, as if someone had swapped their brains for old modems.

    Joe didn¡¯t wait to see if the mist would hold. He yanked a smoke pellet from his inventory and hurled it down the corridor. Thick gray smoke exploded, swallowing the disoriented ants in an instant.

    Joe took the lead, slipping past the disoriented ants, their angry chittering and lashing mandibles a little too close for comfort. Smoke and mist swirled in the tunnel behind him as he sprinted into the Queen¡¯s chamber. His chest heaved, the stale, damp air clawing at his lungs while his heart threatened to punch a hole through his ribcage.

    Behind them, the sounds of scrabbling legs and angry clicks grew muffled. Killing those ants would¡¯ve been like ringing the dinner bell for the swarm. And Joe had no intention of being on the menu today.

    Slowing his pace, Joe¡¯s boots crunched against the gritty floor. The pounding in his chest refused to settle as he took in the vast chamber. The ground was littered with structures that looked like twisted termite mounds, their warped shapes casting strange shadows. His eyes drifted to the center of the chamber¡ªand the blood drained from his face.

    At the center of the chamber loomed the behemoth of a queen.

    The space stretched at least three football fields in length. Her crimson striped bulk was easily the size of a freight train. Her segmented, glistening abdomen faced directly toward them, pointed like a loaded cannon.

    She was motionless.

    Joe couldn¡¯t tell if she was sleeping or lying in wait for prey to draw near.

    Her enormous body twitched and her abdomen rippled, each movement making Joe¡¯s stomach churn. The sickening pulse traveled down her body until something gray and slimy oozed out¡ªa grotesque bullet of goo that hit the ground with a wet plop.

    The smell hit him like a punch to the gut. Rot and acid, sharp and overwhelming, twisted his stomach into knots. He swallowed hard, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

    ¡°Okay... I officially miss the ants.¡±

    The Queen threw her head back and dragged her colossal body around, her carapace scraping along the ground with a sound that made Joe''s teeth itch. With drills for hands, she used her massive mandibles to scoop up the oozing gray blob she¡¯d just birthed. The larvae hung limp until her snaking tongue whipped out and smacked its wobbly, prickled butt.

    Joe¡¯s eyes bulged as the thing startled to life. Its mouth opened wide, releasing a bellow like a foghorn, rows of needle-sharp teeth gleaming inside.

    Turning sideways, the Queen bent low, her feelers sweeping the ground. She shunted forward, her bulk making the movement look like an old steam engine struggling up a hill. Finding a clear patch, she plunged the drill on one insectile arm into the soil, boring a deep hole. With little ceremony, she dropped the shrieking larvae in and covered it with dirt, the muffled wails fading into the earth.

    ¡°That¡¯s one way to parent.¡± Brian¡¯s face was a mix of fascination and mild disgust.

    ¡°Save a fortune on formula and diapers.¡± Joe chuckled, his granddad¡¯s old joke about coming out of retirement to cover baby expenses echoing in his head. But something about the mounds tugged at his focus. Using Quick Wit, he scanned the chamber and locked onto a faint movement near one of the dirt piles.

    ¡°Heads up, we¡¯re not alone.¡± TJ¡¯s voice was sharp, his machete pointing toward the far entrance. Joe followed the blade¡¯s tip to a cluster of factions entering the chamber. Their weapons gleamed with what looked suspiciously like orange bug guts.

    For a tense moment, Joe expected the velvet warrior ants to pour into the chamber in a tidal wave of legs and fury. But nothing happened.

    Dawn chewed her bottom lip. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Joe scanned the chamber.

    ¡°I see warrior ants swarming the tunnels outside this chamber, but they¡¯re not coming inside.¡± Dawn¡¯s gaze remained glossy as she scanned her map.

    ¡°That¡¯s because they¡¯re forbidden by the Queen.¡± Lucky gestured toward the mounds. ¡°She has a prime guardian to defend her brood, but for some reason, he hasn¡¯t shown up yet.¡±

    Brian folded his arms and tilted his head, watching the Queen lay another larvae. ¡°Well, the Queen doesn¡¯t seem to care that we¡¯re here. At least not until we get closer.¡±

    TJ waved a hand at the mounds. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t she need the warrior ants to protect her brood? They¡¯re buried in the ground like little fat sausages.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t have to answer.

    The first ascender to approach a mound learned the hard way. With an explosion of dirt and a spray of debris, the mound collapsed, revealing a grotesque larvae twice the size of the newborn one they¡¯d seen buried. Its gaping maw opened in a piercing shriek, rows of jagged teeth glinting like shattered glass. It bent over itself like some deranged toy slinky and snapped forward, swallowing the unlucky ascender whole. The chamber echoed with its cries, blending into the shrieks of the other newborn larvae.

    A nearby faction watched the carnage with what could only be described as morbid curiosity. Another group, an all-female faction, shouted at them, their voices rising in heated argument. Insults flew fast and furious, cutting through the noise like dagger-sharp barbs.

    Robyn groaned, shaking his head. ¡°Ugh, they¡¯re the worst.¡±

    Joe glanced at him. ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Drama Queens.¡± Robyn¡¯s ears flicked back in irritation. ¡°My faction leader had a fling with their leader once. Total disaster.¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°Drama Queens, huh? Not just a clever name?¡±

    ¡°They live for outrage.¡± Robyn rolled his eyes. ¡°I think one of their mages even has an achievement called Certified Karen. No idea what it means, but it¡¯s definitely not a compliment.¡±

    Dawn raised an eyebrow. ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like it.¡±

    Joe tightened his grip on his weapon. ¡°We can¡¯t stick around to play referee. We need to lock in the boss battle before they do.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but there¡¯s one problem.¡± TJ jerked his thumb toward the chamber.

    The ground trembled beneath them as more mounds erupted, dirt spraying like geysers in every direction. Larvae spilled out one after another, their ravenous cries filling the chamber. The swarm of writhing bodies created an impassable barrier, the path to the Queen now littered with snapping maws.

    As if things weren¡¯t bad enough, a shadow passed overhead. A winged velvet ant descended with an audacious flourish, landing near the Queen. Its golden-edged wings flared behind it like a cape, its velvet fur perfectly coiffed. If ants had mustaches, this one was twirling his.

    Joe blinked, dumbfounded, as the creature struck a pose straight out of a B-movie. Legs splayed wide, head thrown back, it bellowed in a voice dripping with over-the-top bravado, ¡°Never fear, Evel Kill Weevil is here!¡±

 ATC 2 Ch. 19: The Safety Dance

    Joe took a few steps back as Evel Kill Weevil struck a pose.

    Rose slapped a hand to her forehead. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me with this circus act.¡±

    The Drama Queens had caught sight of Evel¡¯s grand entrance too. At least two of them stood with hands firmly on hips, their voices loud enough to echo through the chamber.

    ¡°The Lich is openly mocking us now. This is a disgrace,¡± one of them declared, her aura practically buzzing with indignation.

    Her companion, a kobold with neon-yellow spikes and an unmistakable Karen aesthetic, jabbed a clawed finger toward Evel. ¡°Look at that sideshow freak. How are we supposed to take any of this seriously? I feel like I¡¯m on Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, except that idiot Prattle went and got himself eaten by a disgusting worm.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a larvae,¡± the first one corrected with a huff, ¡°but when he respawns, he can¡¯t say we didn¡¯t warn him.¡±

    ¡°Do you lot ever shut up bitchin¡¯ and complaining?¡± snapped a burly faction member nearby, his face twisted in frustration. ¡°Remember why we¡¯re here!¡±

    The kobold sneered, tilting her chin in defiance. ¡°Do you see this nicely refined and tasteful aura around me, Blartle? It¡¯s a repulsion barrier. It only works when I¡¯m complaining. So stop focusing on me and¡ª¡±

    Her words cut off as the ground opened beneath them. Dirt exploded in every direction as a rampaging larvae burst through, its maw gaping wide. With one swift motion, it swallowed Blartle whole.

    The kobold didn¡¯t so much as flinch, instead crossing her arms as if she were waiting to see a manager. ¡°Men and their penis envy!¡± She glared at the writhing creature. ¡°First, the Lich erects a living tower¡ªbecause, obviously, we needed a giant dick monument¡ªand now, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve noticed, but these larvae look like prancing pen¡ª¡±

    The larvae lunged, cutting her off mid-rant. Its jaws clamped down, but her glowing aura flared to life, bouncing the creature back like it was a springy, oversized rubber toy.

    The kobold smirked, clearly pleased with herself. But the larvae recovered quicker than she expected, whipping around to swallow one of her human faction members whole. The kobold let out an indignant gasp, her hands flying to her hips. ¡°Typical of Chartla not paying attention!¡±

    During that commotion, Joe had activated Shadow Step, slipping into the background like he wasn¡¯t even there. As long as he didn¡¯t engage, the larvae seemed content to ignore him.

    Robyn¡¯s eyes darted at the chaos, his whole body coiled like a spring ready to snap. He tipped his mushroom hat, the oversized thing wobbling. ¡°Stick close. I¡¯m not sure how long I can keep it up, but this hat enhances my Beast Tamer skill. It¡¯s releasing spores that calm nearby creatures.¡±

    Robyn stopped shaking and linked arms with Lucky like he was his big brother. Seeing this, Brian rummaged in his inventory and handed Lucky a tin of mana pellets. Lucky took one and started gnawing on it with loud, deliberate crunches.

    Joe leaned into the group. ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the plan: we don¡¯t poke the bear¡ªor, in this case, the larvae¡ªuntil we figure out what Evel¡¯s doing.¡±

    TJ adjusted his grip on his machete but kept it low. ¡°Solid. I also want to know what the Drama Queens are up to.¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡± Dawn glanced at the other group standing around. ¡°And who the hell are those red-painted jokers in cahoots with the drama queens.¡±

    Brian tapped his temple, scanning his interface. ¡°Filtering out non-friendly factions... Bad news? That list is depressingly short. Good news? Shouldn¡¯t take long to figure out who they are.¡±

    ¡°Do it fast.¡± Dawn gestured toward the ant. ¡°Because Evel¡¯s...uh...doing something.¡±

    Evel Kill Weevil stood in front of the Queen, antennae flailing wildly as he waved his arms like a conductor on speed.

    Joe couldn¡¯t look away. ¡°Is he...dancing?¡±

    ¡°Hypnotizing.¡± Brian¡¯s mouth hung open.

    ¡°Attention-seeking.¡± TJ groaned.

    A squelch interrupted the moment as a black goo-covered ascender slid out of a larvae¡¯s gaping mouth and hit the ground with a wet thud.

    ¡°At least they¡¯re not eating anyone else¡ªfor now.¡± Lucky popped another mana pellet into his mouth.

    Joe blinked. As ridiculous as Evel¡¯s performance was, it was effective. His wings flared out dramatically, dripping gold along the edges like the velvet-trimmed curtains of a bad community theater. With an exaggerated flourish, he straightened and threw his arms wider.

    TJ winced. ¡°I wish he¡¯d stop doing that. His underwear is showing.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, you¡¯re right it looks like a thong.¡± Rose raised her staff.

    The larvae froze.

    One by one, they turned toward Evel and began swaying in time like slimy metronomes.

    ¡°Grublings, lend me your primitive ossicles, so I may inspire you on behalf of our radiant Queen!¡± Evel¡¯s eyes glittered. ¡°Who am I, you ask? While you¡¯ve been growing fat beneath our Queen¡¯s sacred soil, enriched by the larval veins that sustain this great colony, I have been tirelessly defending it from the dread weevil swarms!¡± He puffed up his fluffy chest, striking a pose that screamed look at me. ¡°As I speak, those pitiful creatures are reduced to nibbling on foolish ascenders above ground, so terrified are they of me¡ªEvel Kill Weevil!¡±

    He punctuated his words by gyrating his abdomen, a grotesque motion accompanied by a wet, squelching sound that turned Joe¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°You, my dear grublings, are but a few days old, yet it is clear you are ready to serve! Perhaps one day, you too shall ascend the ranks, be blessed with the gift of flight, unparalleled invulnerability, and, dare I say, immaculate hair!¡± He ran a claw through his velvety fur, striking a smug profile.

    Evel turned his attention to the scattered ascenders. His gaze swept across the chamber like a hawk sizing up its next meal, and then he unleashed a booming villain laugh so theatrical it could¡¯ve been practiced in front of a mirror.

    ¡°Ascenders! Before you die, I¡¯d like to thank you for being so thoughtful.¡± Evel¡¯s grin widened enough to make his mandibles twitch. ¡°Offering yourselves up as food for the humble servants of our great Queen? Truly, a selfless act. May your deaths be swift and painless!¡± He gave a deep, exaggerated bow, antennae dipping low like he was performing in some twisted opera.

    The larvae, which had been swaying like hypnotized toddlers, snapped to attention. With a collective chitter, they turned on the nearest ascenders. This time, there was no chaos. Evel¡¯s antennae flicked like a conductor¡¯s baton, directing their every move. The room erupted into coordinated carnage.

    ¡°Defensive shields activated.¡± Dawn pointed to a shimmering barrier surrounding a nearby faction.

    Brian didn¡¯t look up from his crossbow, his finger hovering over the trigger. ¡°They¡¯re called the Armchair Anarchists. Probably a mash-up of leftovers from the last floor. You can tell by their tags¡ªthey used to belong to other factions, likely the last survivors, like Merv.¡±

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Joe¡¯s stomach twisted as Evel broke into what could only be described as a deranged rendition of Night Fever. His antennae jabbed, his legs scuttled, and his movements sent a hundred larvae charging like heat-seeking missiles.

    Each grub locked onto a target, teeth snapping and bodies jiggling as they surged forward. The tunnels leading out of the chamber weren¡¯t any safer; warrior velvet ants had those locked down, swarming anyone who dared flee.

    Dawn glanced at her map, her brow furrowed. ¡°Only way out is to kill him and the Queen.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s with all the dancing?¡± TJ growled, machete ready.

    Brian nodded toward Evel. ¡°It¡¯s not simply for show. He¡¯s using his antennae and movements to communicate with the larvae, like bees do when they find flowers. The evil monologue? That was for us¡ªto rattle our nerves.¡±

    ¡°Probably orchestrated by the Lich¡¯s amusement.¡± Joe followed Brian¡¯s gaze to one of the Armchair Anarchists. The guy had his hands jammed in his pockets, sidestepping a larva as if he were avoiding a puddle.

    Meanwhile, a member of the Drama Queens faction barely dodged another grub barreling past her. She stood, brushing dirt off her clothes, and sniffed the air. ¡°Well, that¡¯s going to leave a stain. Even if I die and respawn, I¡¯m billing someone for dry cleaning.¡±

    The Anarchist smirked. ¡°Why don¡¯t you file a complaint with Poppy? Maybe she¡¯ll listen to you whining about how the system¡¯s rigged while the Titan Slayers hog all the glory.¡±

    ¡°As much as I hate everything about you, you¡¯re right.¡± She groaned, arms crossed as she scanned the chamber. ¡°And if we¡¯re going down, we¡¯re taking everyone with us¡­as soon as I can figure out where they are in this mess.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t see their leader, but he¡¯s using stealth to hide behind the big guy with the goatee!¡± The Armchair Anarchist with the eternity stick pointed straight at Brian. ¡°Go get them before they can lock the titan in battle.¡±

    Joe frowned. Why the hell would they want to stop the fight? If no one defeated the Queen, the next floor wouldn¡¯t unlock. The rising mana levels would poison them all, no matter which faction they belonged to. It was like arguing over who got to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic.

    Before she could retort, a mound erupted, and a larvae lunged at the Drama Queen. She shrieked and bolted straight for Brian, dragging a dozen larvae in her wake.

    ¡°Do something, you waste of space, or I¡¯ll die before I reach him!¡± She screeched at the eternity-stick smoker, who looked like he was debating whether this was worth putting down his vape.

    The larvae bounced off her flickering repulse barrier, but it was clear she was running out of steam.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move before she brings them right to us.¡± Joe scanned for a path to the Queen, but every route was a death trap of untouched mounds waiting to pop open. Triggering those would be like setting off an insect avalanche.

    Things took a turn for the worse. Evel locked eyes with Joe.

    Uh-oh. Stealth isn¡¯t working on him like it did with the grubs.

    A dozen larvae peeled off from the group chasing the Drama Queen, their beady black eyes glinting like marbles of pure hunger. Their jaws snapped as they charged.

    ¡°Looks like Evel can see through your stealth.¡± Brian tapped a finger on his crossbow, before a bolt flew and pinged off the guard¡¯s fur. ¡°How about we distract him with ranged attacks?¡±

    ¡°Wait until his wings are raised.¡± Dawn¡¯s hands flared red. ¡°He has to have a more vulnerable spot.¡±

    ¡°And a tandem attack with our faction boon should do extra damage.¡± Rose spun her staff.

    ¡°Hit him where it hurts.¡± Joe tapped Lucky and Robyn to grab their attention. ¡°With me. Let¡¯s circle wide and keep as much real estate as possible between us and the digestive tract express.¡±

    ¡°Good idea.¡± Lucky darted away, Robyn clutching his arm like a lifeline. ¡°Andras asked for an update. He¡¯ll be here any minute.¡±

    Joe groaned.

    Meanwhile, the Drama Queen¡¯s barrier faded as the larvae pummeled her. Her lips thinned, and her nostrils flared as she pushed toward Brian, Rose, and Dawn, who had formed a ranged assault triangle aimed at Evel.

    Dawn¡¯s hands glowed as Brian loosed an alchemical bolt. The projectile flew true, and before it landed, Rose cracked her staff, unleashing a water whip that lashed out. A fireball from Dawn followed suit, the combined force slamming into Evel¡¯s edible undies. A Dual Strike notification confirmed the twenty percent damage boon was activated.

    Evel coiled his wings around himself like a cocoon, his health bar flickering into view.

    [No Damage]

    [Evel Kill Weevil - Health 100/100]

    Joe exhaled. ¡°It¡¯s like a chastity belt.¡±

    Brian tilted his crossbow to the side. ¡°Those edible undies are exactly that. Says they¡¯re an appetite for anti-destruction.¡±

    Joe couldn¡¯t believe what he was about to say next.

    ¡°Then, we need to get them off.¡± Joe moved quickly with Lucky and Robyn, pointing to the still-unearthed mounds ahead. ¡°We need to take out Evel and gain control of the larvae. If we don¡¯t, they¡¯ll swarm us¡ªand their siblings will join the fun.¡±

    Lucky yipped excitedly. ¡°Andras can help!¡± He pointed toward the far side of the chamber, waving his faction leader over like he was flagging down a taxi. Somehow, the Teflon bard had made it through the chaos alive and suspiciously unscathed. Andras, with Otto at his side, moved through the chamber with infuriating ease, avoiding the rampaging larvae like water flowing around boulders.

    Lucky¡¯s ears perked up expectantly. ¡°Where¡¯s the rest of the faction?¡±

    Andras pouted as if the question had deeply wounded his soul. ¡°That was... costly,¡± he said, brushing an invisible speck from his tunic. ¡°But my loyal faction knows they¡¯ll be rewarded when we reach the top.¡±

    Joe caught the subtext loud and clear¡ª¡°loyal faction¡± was Andras-speak for cannon fodder. The rest of the alliance had been chewed up to clear a path for him and Otto. Typical.

    ¡°Perfect timing,¡± Lucky said, entirely unbothered. He jabbed a finger in Eval¡¯s direction, where the velvet-winged ant was still grandstanding like he was about to pull off a motorcycle jump over twenty buses. ¡°We need you to have a dance-off with him so you can gain control of the larvae. Get them to stop treating ascenders like lunch so we can reach the Titan Queen.¡±

    Andras arched a brow, his lips curling into a disdainful smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t dance, Lucky, but I play a mean tune.¡± He whipped out his panpipes, fingers poised dramatically¡ªand then frowned when not a single note charmed Evel.

    Lucky clapped his paws to his face. ¡°They communicate through pheromones and dance. Music won¡¯t work! You¡¯re a bard; it should come as naturally to you as a duck to water!¡±

    Andras sighed as though the burden of competence was far too heavy to bear. ¡°If you say so, Lucky.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t miss the calculating look flickering across his face¡ªlike he was already scheming his next move. Sure enough, Andras turned toward Joe, his smirk sharpening. ¡°Let¡¯s make a deal. I¡¯ll get these larvae off all our backs, giving both our factions a fair shot at the Titan Queen. If, and only if, you convince Ryan to use his newfound sway with the tower guardians... for my benefit, when I need a favor.¡±

    Joe¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Ryan¡¯s not here. I¡¯m not making a deal for him. If you want a favor from Ryan, you can ask him yourself.¡±

    Andras let out a melodramatic sigh, leaning in so close Joe could smell the self-satisfaction wafting off him like cheap cologne. ¡°Such a pity. You see, when I gain control of these lovely larvae, they might accidentally find you and yours just as delicious as before. Have fun with that.¡±

    Before Joe could retort, Andras grabbed Lucky by the arm and dragged him off. Lucky stumbled, squeaking in protest, his paws skidding on the gritty floor. Robyn let go of Lucky¡¯s other arm to stop himself from being yanked along, but the torn look on his face said it all¡ªloyalty pulling him in two directions like a rope in a tug-of-war.

    Joe turned back toward Eval, whose antennae were twitching like a pair of overzealous conductors orchestrating everyone¡¯s doom. He tilted his head and glanced at Robyn.

    ¡°How do you feel about eating insects?¡± Joe asked.

    Robyn blinked at him, eyes wide. ¡°I... uh... what?¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach twisted as a message from the Blanche Brigade popped up in his vision.

    Ryan: We can''t get past the swarms in the tunnel. Gonna be delayed.

    Joe: Better off staying topside. It''s murder down here.

    With a sharp inhale, Joe sent another message to the alliance chat.

    Joe: Dawn, Rose, and Brian¡ªaim for the antenna. I need it intact.

    TJ: Their ranged attacks will destroy it. Leave it to me. Oh, and cover me.

    TJ didn¡¯t wait for further discussion. He charged, machete in hand, weaving through the chaos as Dawn, Rose, and Brian lit up the larvae in his path with well-placed ranged attacks. Fireballs and water whips lashed out, clearing a path for TJ as he leapt over snapping jaws and lunging grubs like some kind of mad acrobat.

    Joe¡¯s Quick Wit buzzed, but his eyes stayed locked on TJ. His opening came when Evel got a little too into his ridiculous dance moves, turning his back on the wrong side of the chamber.

    TJ didn¡¯t hesitate. He powered into a high leap, his machete gleaming as he brought it down in a deadly arc.

    Schwick! One of Evel¡¯s antennae hit the ground with a clean slice, twitching and crackling like a downed wire. Robyn was already in motion, a ratfolk blur, snatching it out of midair before it could even hit the dirt.

    The two sprinted back toward the group, covered by another volley of ranged attacks that had Evel spinning in confusion. By the time the oversized velvet ant realized what had happened, it was too late.

    Evel staggered, his remaining antenna jerking as he tried to keep his groove going.

    Coming from the side entrance, Andras seized the moment and blew an exaggerated kiss toward Evel as the emo elf kicked off his dance moves.

 ATC 2 Ch. 20: Rogues Do It From Behind

    In all of the chaos, Joe had made the rookie mistake of losing track of the Drama Queen. Free from the larvae that had been gnawing at her failing repulse barrier moments ago, she slowed her pace, locked eyes with Dawn, and let out a shriek.

    ¡°Die, bitch, die!¡± she howled, spittle flying like she was mid-exorcism. She dropped her shield. A blade glinted in her hand as she hurled it with all the fury of someone who¡¯d just lost a discount coupon.

    Dawn didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she laughed, cocking her head as if she''d been handed the world''s worst insult. ¡°Thanks for the warning,¡± she called back. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m one lucky bitch.¡± With a flick of her hand, a column of flame erupted between her and the blade, melting it mid-air into a harmless blob of molten slag. Dawn smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. ¡°But you? You¡¯re just a plain old bitch.¡±

    The drama queen blinked in disbelief, right before being swallowed whole by a very hungry larvae.

    Joe gestured to Robyn who held Evel¡¯s severed antenna like it might sprout legs and crawl back to life. ¡°Andras is about to take control of the larvae¡­¡± He didn''t have to ask him¡ªRobyn¡¯s grin said it all.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Joe. You should know by now¡ªI¡¯m not fussy about what I eat.¡± Without hesitation, he shoved the antenna in his mouth and bit down. Joe winced. Each crunch sounded like someone chewing pork crackling.

    TJ¡¯s laugh boomed as he clapped Robyn on the back, nearly knocking him over. ¡°Me neither, little bro. Back when I was a hatchling, you ate what you found¡ªliving, dead, or questionable. Builds character.¡±

    ¡°How long do you think you¡¯ll share Evel¡¯s traits and skills?¡± Brian held his crossbow steady as it tracked between Evel¡¯s twitching body and Andras, as if he was seriously thinking about one-shotting the elf bard.

    Robyn chewed his cheek. ¡°Depends on my digestion but I expect no more than five minutes, us ratfolk have fast metabolisms.¡±

    The larvae shuddered, twitching and rolling into each other like bumper cars on bad acid.

    Brian raised a brow. ¡°I think severing Evel¡¯s connection mid-transfer while Andras is trying to take control might¡¯ve short-circuited their hive mind.¡±

    Robyn swallowed hard and patted his little pot belly. ¡°That won¡¯t last long. Give me¡­ a moment.¡± His fur rippled like he was about to either gain a skill or throw up. Joe wasn¡¯t sure which.

    Unfortunately, there was no avoiding the next step. Joe sighed. ¡°While he¡¯s upskilling, we need to strip Evel of those underpants of invulnerability.¡±

    Brian turned, staring deadpan. ¡°And when you say ¡®we,¡¯ you mean who, exactly?¡±

    Dawn and Rose exchanged a look, then tossed up their hands like synchronized swimmers. ¡°We¡¯ll provide cover!¡±

    TJ groaned like a condemned man walking to his doom. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it. But if I die this way, you better swear to take the reason to your graves.¡±

    Brian thumped his chest with mock solemnity. ¡°You are a true hero, my friend. And rest assured, if you do die, I¡¯ll sing tales of your legendary exploits¡­excluding the magical thongs.¡±

    TJ growled and stomped forward. ¡°You¡¯re all a bunch of bastards.¡±

    Joe grinned, struggling to hold back laughter. ¡°For the record, I never expected ¡®strip the velvet ant¡¯s magic thong¡¯ to be on today¡¯s to-do list.¡±

    TJ used the larvae¡¯s confusion to his advantage, booting their writhing forms out of his path. Andras slowed his dance moves, his smug curiosity narrowing in on TJ. He shot Joe a warning glare¡ªMake a move against me, and you¡¯ll regret it.

    Joe ignored him, his eyes flicking to Lucky, tucked safely under the hulking shadow of Otto, Andras¡¯ right-hand elf. Around the chamber, the remaining ascenders were frozen, standing like wary spectators waiting for the next shoe to drop¡ªor for someone to get squashed.

    The Queen, blissfully unconcerned, evicted yet another slimy newborn with a sound that could haunt nightmares.

    Dawn, Rose, and Brian readied their ranged attacks, nodding toward TJ, who approached Evel Kill Weevil like a lion stalking an oblivious gazelle. Evel¡¯s drunken, skittering movements focused entirely on Andras, leaving his back wide open.

    ¡°That should¡¯ve been you.¡± Hal snorted, uninvited as always. ¡°Rogues do it from behind. Bonus flex points if you add flair.¡±

    Joe shoved Hal¡¯s voice aside and zeroed in on TJ, who stowed his machete and hesitated for half a heartbeat. Grimacing like he was about to grab roadkill, TJ yanked on Evel¡¯s thong.

    Evel shrieked like a kettle boiling over, mandibles snapping at thin air as the elastic gave him the mother of all wedgies. TJ with grim determination carved into h the ant¡¯s face, swung his machete and sliced clean through the waistband.

    The thong snapped free with a twang, sailing through the air like the world¡¯s weirdest boomerang¡ªonly to slap Lucky square in the face.

    The little ratfolk let out a strangled squeak, staggering back.

    A guttural cry yanked everyone¡¯s attention back to Evel. The velvet ant¡¯s wings buzzed like an angry chainsaw as he turned on TJ, who didn¡¯t flinch. Evel hit him full force, knocking TJ off his feet and carrying him like a football player in an insect rage.

    But TJ knew his physics. He grappled Evel midair, twisting the momentum into a roll. They hit the ground in a tangle of limbs and wings, skidding through dirt until they slammed into a mound hard enough to shake dust loose.

    Robyn¡¯s eyes snapped open, and he straightened like someone had just shoved a lightning bolt up his spine. ¡°I¡¯m in control.¡± His whiskers twitched as he found his rhythm, shoulders squaring like a tiny general ready to command.

    Andras flailed harder, his dance reaching seizure-level intensity, but it didn¡¯t matter. Robyn¡¯s skill hit like a freight train, and Evel staggered. His crumpled wings slowed to a weak buzz as he let out a screech¡ªpain and panic woven into one ugly sound.

    Evel backed away, mandibles clicking, his one good antenna twitching like it was trying to reboot.

    ¡°Stop this instant! I am your senior!¡± Evel barked at the larvae.

    But the grubs didn¡¯t care. With a low rumble, they surged forward, jaws snapping. Evel¡¯s eyes bulged.

    Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.

    Evel Kill Weevil was no more.

    The heat of Hal¡¯s blue flame flared in Joe¡¯s chest, sharp and smug. ¡°So long, chump!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky, Halcyon.¡± Joe rubbing his chest as if he could smother the burn. ¡°We¡¯ve still got Andras, anarchist lunatics, and a titan queen the size of a freight train.¡±

    ¡°Savor the moment, spoilsport.¡± The heat dimmed with a satisfied hum.

    Robyn gasped and licked his lips like he¡¯d just crossed the Sahara barefoot. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much longer I can hold these larvae. Their primal instincts are... strong. Like really strong.¡±

    Andras paused his frantic dancing, eyes narrowing into laser beams at Lucky. Not that Lucky noticed¡ªhe was busy squinting at something on the inside of Evel¡¯s thongs, like he¡¯d found a suspicious brown smear.

    Robyn leaned against Joe, his whiskers drooping. Joe dug out a mana pellet and pressed it into his paw. ¡°Hang tight a little longer, buddy. Once we engage the boss battle, grab Lucky and get out of the blast zone. Hide somewhere until it¡¯s over.¡±

    Robyn squinched his face like he was trying to solve a calculus problem blindfolded. ¡°Speaking of Lucky¡­ he just sent me a Picture Sense message. It¡¯s hard to focus on two things, but I¡¯ll try¡­¡±

    Joe tensed. ¡°What¡¯d he say?¡±

    Robyn¡¯s voice strained as he blurted out, ¡°Magic thongs¡­ rubber ducky¡­ loot box¡­¡± He exhaled like it took everything out of him. ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯ve got.¡±

    Joe blinked, then grinned. ¡°Perfect, Robyn. That¡¯s all I need.¡±

    Lucky had found the first loot box clue. Who knew Evel¡¯s wardrobe malfunction would be all they needed to beat the odds.

    TJ rejoined them, shaking dirt off his boots and looking ready to throw hands with anyone breathing. The group clustered under Joe¡¯s lead, all eyes on the path to the Queen.

    Robyn hunched but clenched his paws, determination etched into his little rat face. ¡°I¡¯ll keep the larvae back. Stop any new ones from erupting.¡±

    Joe gave him a thumbs-up. ¡°You¡¯re a hero, Robyn. Now let¡¯s go battle a titan.¡±

    As they moved, Andras stormed over blocking their path like a man who¡¯d just been told he wasn¡¯t the main character. Factions trailed behind him¡ªwhat was left of them, anyway.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°You think you can waltz up to the Queen and steal this victory after all my hard work?¡± Andras¡¯s voice dripped with faux charm as he turned to the burly guy with the patchy beard beside him. ¡°We haven¡¯t been properly introduced, but why not join our alliance? You, me, and your remaining men¡ªwe¡¯ll take this titan down together.¡±

    Joe snorted. ¡°The neck on this guy¡­¡±

    ¡°He knows he can¡¯t beat Drillmaw on his own,¡± Brian said, keeping his voice low. ¡°And Lucky¡¯s not about to fight for him.¡±

    The patchy-bearded guy laughed in Andras¡¯s face, then pulled out what looked suspiciously like a souped-up bong. He took a deep drag, exhaling a lazy cloud of vapor that swirled into Andras¡¯s perfectly smug expression.

    ¡°I¡¯m a philosopher, not a fighter,¡± the guy said, voice gravelly and amused. ¡°I didn¡¯t get this far by sticking my neck out for complete strangers. I¡¯m more of a ¡®Can¡¯t someone else do it?¡¯ kinda guy. If it¡¯s good enough for Homer, it¡¯s good enough for me.¡±

    Dawn raised a brow. ¡°Sounds like this wiseguy¡¯s from Earth.¡±

    Otto stepped forward, his expression promising doom. ¡°By the Lord of Darkness, help us or leave.¡±

    The burly guy laughed, the sound gravelly and unimpressed, as he stashed his bong. ¡°You can all rot in the eight cold hells. Save me a seat while you¡¯re at it.¡± He turned to Otto with a smirk. ¡°There¡¯s no salvation, my guy, whether we hit the top or not. Don¡¯t waste your talents being a yes-man for this bardic clown. Join the resistance instead.¡±

    Otto narrowed his eyes, clearly confused. ¡°I don¡¯t recall giving you the honor of my name.¡±

    Before things escalated, a nearby mound exploded with a squeal that sounded like a pig in a blender. A grub the size of a truck lurched forward, jaws snapping.

    Joe didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Move!¡±

    He took off, Dawn right at his side, with Brian, Rose, and TJ covering their rear. Behind them, the larvae swarmed, effectively blocking any other ascenders from giving chase.

    They skidded to a halt in the looming shadow of the behemoth Queen just as another larva hit the ground with a wet, stomach-turning splop.

    The air crackled, a system chime ringing out like a death knell.

    [The Titan Slayers have engaged the Titan Velvet Ant Queen ¡®Drillmaw¡¯ in battle. All other ascenders stand by.]

    Joe tilted his head up at the towering mass of carapace and pulsing flesh. ¡°Fun times ahead.¡±

    The battle dome shimmered to life, cutting them off from the factions outside. Brian shared the stats update for the Queen Drillmaw. It told them nothing about her attacks, but Joe braced himself. Just because she was popping out larvae every few minutes didn¡¯t mean she¡¯d stop trying to kill them.

    The massive form of Drillmaw loomed above them, a grotesque mix of alien menace and hypnotic beauty. Her carapace shimmered with hues of deep crimson and shadowed black, like armor forged from blood and darkness.

    Her voice oozed through the chamber, smooth and sultry, with a spine-chilling edge.

    ¡°Ahh, little monsters. You¡¯ve come to claim your victory? To stand atop the corpses of my children?¡± Her beady black eyes locked onto each of them¡ªJoe, Dawn, Brian, TJ, and Rose¡ªcold and unblinking. ¡°There¡¯s a stain on your souls for every insect and spider you¡¯ve crushed. I see it on all of you.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach turned as chills crept up his spine. Halcyon¡¯s voice nudged at the edge of his mind.

    ¡°She¡¯s using pheromones to guilt-trip you. Don¡¯t let her get in your head.¡±

    Joe gripped his daggers tighter, easing into the shadow of a nearby trench. ¡°Uh, guys? Be careful. Bug magic guilt-trip incoming.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s hands glowed, but her face tightened. ¡°Damn the lich and his mind games. How are we supposed to have the stomach for killing a mother again?¡±

    ¡°Are we really hesitating here?¡± TJ raised his machete, his jaw set like stone. ¡°It¡¯s a bug. Even if she can talk, all six legs will snap for a nice juicy, bug-gutted crunch.¡± He jerked his weapon toward her. ¡°I¡¯ll take the guilt off your hands.¡±

    Drillmaw turned her gaze to him, unbothered. Her mandibles clicked, her voice like poisoned silk. ¡°A brute with a blade. Predictable. Tell me¡ªdo you question your blade when you slit a mother¡¯s throat? Scaldera bled. I wonder¡­ did she beg you for mercy?¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t get the chance.¡± Rose whipped her hair back, her staff starting to glow. ¡°She was too busy trying to gut us.¡±

    Drillmaw laughed low and melodic, a sound that echoed like the hum of wasp wings. ¡°You lie to yourselves. You tell yourselves I am different¡ªa ¡®bug,¡¯ not a mother. And yet I create life with every breath. I nourish. I protect.¡± Her abdomen pulsed and brightened. ¡°Kill me, and this chamber¡ªthis hive¡ªdies with me. Another stain on your soul. How much more can you bear?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not monsters, and your parenting style is questionable at best.¡± Dawn gripped her blade.

    Drillmaw tilted her head, eyes narrowing. ¡°We are all monsters. The Lich created us for his amusement. I do not wish to fight you, but if you threaten me or my children, the system compels me to destroy you. And I will.¡±

    Joe felt the weight of her words, like they pressed against his chest.

    Drillmaw¡¯s towering form shuddered, her massive abdomen pulsing like a living factory, while her drill-like claws scraped against the ground. Her eyes¡ªblack, alien, and unblinking¡ªswept over them condemning them.

    Doubts gnawed at the edges of his mind, but he shook them off. Drillmaw was trying to break their resolve, and if they froze now, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to end them.

    Brian spoke up, voice steady. ¡°Until we gain the upper hand, we have no choice. It¡¯s ascend or die.¡±

    Joe exhaled, eyes narrowing at the Queen. ¡°If we don¡¯t act now, she will.¡±

    The team nodded, their hesitation fading under the weight of reality.

    ¡°Let¡¯s test her defenses.¡± Dawn¡¯s hands flared,snapping them into motion. She hurled a fireball at Drillmaw. The Queen¡¯s shield flared, shimmering as the firebolt rebounded against a mound.

    Joe activated Quick Wit, scanning her movements while Brian kept his crossbow ready. Drillmaw¡¯s abdomen pulsed as she laid another larva, her shield flickering for a heartbeat. Her mandibles clicked in frustration, as if she wanted to tend to the newborn but couldn¡¯t. Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    Joe: I think her shield drops when she¡¯s giving birth.

    Brian: That¡¯s when we dual strike for maximum damage.

    The others had no time to respond. Drillmaw reared up, mandibles snapping like splintering bones, the sound making Joe¡¯s teeth ache. Her clawed drill arms slammed down where they¡¯d been a moment ago, sending tremors through the chamber. A spike-like ridge of earth erupted from the floor, forcing the team to scatter.

    Joe activated Shadow Step, blinking to her flank, just outside the range of her churning claws.

    ¡°Move it, Joe!¡± TJ cursed, hacking his way over one of the freshly carved trenches. Drillmaw¡¯s claws gouged through the ground, deep, jagged barriers like some nightmarish arena. He grunted, leaping a ridge and slamming his machete into her side. The blow landed with a meaty thud. ¡°Could use a little help here! Getting way too familiar with her indestructo-bug carapace!¡±

    Joe¡¯s eyes narrowed as he tracked the Queen¡¯s movement. ¡°Just a little longer, TJ. On my mark¡ªtarget her legs! The joints are weak!¡±

    Drillmaw shuddered, her defensive aura dimming as she held her breath. Her massive, black eyes flicked toward the shriveled husk of her abandoned offspring, already curling like a salted slug in the soil.

    ¡°Rose, Brian, keep her distracted!¡± Joe gestured toward her midsection.

    Brian¡¯s arrows whistled, striking her side, while Rose launched shimmering bolts of water. The Queen¡¯s massive form churned, abdomen pulsing as she prepared to give birth again. Her shield flickered, faltering just as a shriek erupted from her mandibles.

    ¡°NOW!¡± Joe clenched his teeth.

    Dawn unleashed a fireball. The glowing orb hit Drillmaw¡¯s fuzzy abdomen dead-on, flames erupting like fireworks. The velvet fur sizzled and crackled, sending embers spiraling into the air. Drillmaw screeched, her body thrashing as fire licked up her sides.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Joe called as the Queen roared, her black eyes blazing with unnatural light.

    She reared up, thorax pulsing as green venom stingers shot out like missiles.

    ¡°Crap, incoming!¡± Dawn dove to the side, but one of the stingers clipped her leg. The wound pulsed an angry, sickly green as Dawn hit the dirt hard.

    ¡°Brian!¡± Joe shouted.

    Brian was already there, sliding to Dawn¡¯s side with a potion in hand. ¡°Drink up!¡± He steadied her as she downed the glowing liquid.

    Joe stopped mid-Shadow Step and waved his arms to draw attention. ¡°Hey! Over here, Big Ugly!¡±

    Drillmaw¡¯s head snapped in his direction.

    TJ and Rose flanked her, covering Dawn as she shakily got back to her feet.

    Drillmaw shuddered. Her shield flickered, then back to life. When she spoke again, her voice shifted¡ªsoft now, almost gentle, like some ancient, primal spirit whispering through the mist.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to kill me,¡± she said, the words resonating unnervingly through the chamber. ¡°You don¡¯t have to ascend this tower. There is another way.¡±

    TJ froze mid-step, machete still raised. ¡°The hell she talking about?¡±

    ¡°The Lich.¡± Drillmaw¡¯s black eyes glistened. ¡°His phylactery is hidden. Find it. Destroy it, and he falls. The tower crumbles, and you are free¡ªfree without damning us all.¡±

    Robyn¡¯s voice cracked from behind. ¡°She¡¯s telling the truth¡­ or¡­¡± He swallowed hard, tail twitching. ¡°Whoever is controlling her believes it¡¯s the truth.¡±

    Joe¡¯s mind raced as he activated Quick Wit. This felt off, but familiar. He sent a message and his vision blinked¡ªa reply message.

    Poke_Master: ???

    Joe squinted at the crossed out cake emoji. Cryptic as hell.

    The Queen tilted her head, mandibles clicking. Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper, ¡°The cake is a lie.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach twisted.

    Drillmaw let out a shriek that rattled Joe¡¯s teeth, her massive body convulsing. The carapace along her back split open, glowing red fissures bursting to life like molten veins.

    [Blazing Stripes Activated] blinked in Joe¡¯s vision.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s bad.¡± Joe¡¯s stomach sank. ¡°She¡¯s gone full disco inferno.¡±

    Flames roared to life, licking up Drillmaw¡¯s massive form until she looked like a walking bonfire. Her legs pounded the earth, sending shockwaves that cracked the ground and knocked mounds loose.

    ¡°Move! Move!¡± Joe blinked out of range with Shadow Step just as her blazing bulk charged past, leaving scorched trenches in her wake.

    TJ didn¡¯t budge. He planted his feet, grit his teeth, and raised his machete. ¡°Someone cover me¡ªthis ends now!¡±

    ¡°Cover him!¡± Joe waved to the others. ¡°Dawn, hit her sides when she slows! Rose, put her out¡ªsoak the flames!¡±

    ¡°On it!¡± Rose raised her staff, voice sharp and clear. ¡°Tidal Surge!¡±

    A wave of water exploded from her staff, crashing into Drillmaw¡¯s fiery body like a tsunami. Steam erupted, hissing through the chamber as fire and water collided. The mist swallowed everything in blinding white fog.

    Through the haze, Joe saw TJ roar, his silhouette leaping through like a war hammer. The machete slammed down into Drillmaw¡¯s abdomen just as her body convulsed mid-birth.

    SHLUNK!

    Ichor erupted like a geyser, splattering across the floor in thick, black globs.

    ¡°Now, Joe! Finish her off!¡± Sweat dripped down TJ¡¯s face.

    Joe didn¡¯t hesitate. He activated Shadow Step, reappearing directly behind Drillmaw, daggers glowing a lethal green. Her pulsing underbelly filled his vision, unprotected and vulnerable.

    ¡°Say goodnight, Bugzilla.¡±

    He slashed with everything he had.

    [Critical Hit!]

    Drillmaw¡¯s screech rattled the chamber walls, her massive body shuddering. The fiery glow in her eyes dimmed as she collapsed, her legs crumpling beneath her. The ground shook with the impact, and then¡­ silence.

    Joe stumbled back, chest heaving, as the victory notification scrolled across his vision.

    [Victory for the Titan Slayers! Titan Velvet Ant Queen ¡°Drillmaw¡± Defeated.]

    [Faction Boon: Echoes of the Core. Once per floor, the Titan Slayers can call upon an echo of a past battle for a temporary buff.]

    [Faction: Titan Slayers

    Silver Rank Faction, QRL 22

    Active Ascenders: 5

    Non-Active Ascenders: 2]

    All eyes shifted from each other to the time crystals that littered the ground.

 ATC 2 Ch. 21: Anarchy Rising

    Joe stared at the hollow in the earth where Drillmaw¡¯s massive corpse had been moments before. ¡°Here one moment and gone the next.¡±

    Unease twisted in his gut as Halcyon¡¯s voice echoed in his mind. ¡°And so will you be, if you and your Scooby gang don¡¯t grab that loot fast and keep your backs covered.¡±

    Dawn bumped into him, her voice low. ¡°Uh, dunno about you, but I¡¯m starting to feel like a gazelle at a croc-infested watering hole.¡±

    Joe gave her a slow nod. They were surrounded, all eyes in the chamber locked on them.

    The glittering time crystals tugged at Joe¡¯s senses, almost begging him to pick them up, but he didn¡¯t dare take his focus off the surviving ascenders, who were steadily closing in. His chest tightened. ¡°Where¡¯s all the larvae?¡±

    Robyn, bent over with his hands on his knees, puffed out a breath. ¡°They just disappeared when the Queen died.¡±

    Joe tensed. One threat gone, but a worse one had taken its place. The larvae had been predictable, all mindless hunger. The ascenders were anything but. Joe had learned the hard way that desperate people could say one thing and do another. The so-called Armchair Anarchists? He didn¡¯t trust them. Who in their right mind would sabotage the system, trapping everyone on the fifth floor and condemning them to mana poisoning?

    The hairs on his neck prickled.

    The ¡°stoner homer¡± anarchist with the patchy beard shuffled closer, his lazy movements a stark contrast to the sharp intensity in his eyes. Joe¡¯s grip tightened on his dagger. The guy looked like he couldn¡¯t hurt a fly.

    Joe wasn¡¯t buying it.

    Brian stepped up, his massive frame casting a shadow over Joe. ¡°I think we need to split this up,¡± he whispered. ¡°Two of us grab the loot, the rest handle¡­crowd control.¡±

    Joe nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing. That plan made sense. But Rose spoke up first, raising her voice just enough to carry to their group.

    ¡°Not gonna lie, she dropped a lot of loot.¡± Her tone was light, almost playful. ¡°TJ, how about we gather it up? I¡¯ll race you.¡±

    ¡°Ha, you¡¯re on.¡± TJ cracked his knuckles and gave a sharp, warning look at the factions encroaching on their space. Then he joined Rose, the two moving quickly toward the glittering piles of loot.

    Joe wished he could gather loot as easily as pressing a button in a game. An inventory hoover would¡¯ve been really useful right about now.

    Dawn frowned, her stance radiating barely contained aggression. ¡°Want me to tell these assholes to back off?¡± The heat of her tone sent a warning ripple through the air.

    ¡°Hold on.¡± Joe motioned Robyn closer. His eyes darted over the groups, finally landing on Lucky. Relief flickered in his chest. Lucky was unhurt, though he looked like a mouse in a lion¡¯s den, flanked by Otto and Andras, both inching forward with the rest of the factions.

    Once Robyn was safely at his side, Joe gave Dawn a nod. ¡°Go for it.¡±

    Dawn stepped forward with a deliberate calmness that was more intimidating than any raised weapon. She gestured broadly to the chamber¡¯s exit. ¡°In case you haven¡¯t noticed, floor six is unlocked. You¡¯re welcome.¡± Her tone carried the perfect blend of mockery and warning. ¡°Don¡¯t let us keep you.¡±

    The stoner homer guy casually pulled out his magic bong, a gaudy contraption that bubbled as he inhaled. His cheeks hollowed, and his eyes clouded over like foggy glass. The sound of the liquid bubbling filled the uneasy silence until he exhaled a plume of shimmering smoke that twisted in unnatural shapes.

    Brian cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing. A notification popped up in the alliance chat:

    Brian: No surprise, but that¡¯s a decabong. We need to be very, very careful with this guy. When he uses it, he means business.

    Joe¡¯s gaze flicked back to the stoner. Whatever ¡°business¡± meant here, he wasn¡¯t eager to find out.

    The guy gestured lazily with the bong, but his words had an edge that belied his slack demeanor. ¡°You think we should thank you? Please. We¡¯re not even the Lich¡¯s lab rats. We¡¯re the fleas on those rats¡ªthe ones that spread the Black Death. Everything the Lich touches rots eventually. And so will we.¡±

    Andras laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. ¡°Speak for yourself. You might be the disease, but I¡¯m the cure.¡± He straightened his posture, looking down at the stoner. ¡°It¡¯s obvious you¡¯re miserable here, but that doesn¡¯t mean you need to spread your vile misery to others.¡±

    A voice shouted from the back of the crowd. ¡°You¡¯re no better than the Titan Slayers! You¡¯re just another pawn for the Lich, playing right into his hands every time you kill a titan.¡±

    A ripple of agreement spread through the factions. Fists rose into the air, and a chant began to grow: ¡°Defiance, not compliance!¡±

    Stoner Homer threw an approving look over his shoulder, his eyes clear and glinting with satisfaction.

    Joe¡¯s pulse raced. The chant echoed like a drumbeat of rebellion, but he didn¡¯t miss the creeping malice beneath it. These people weren¡¯t here to negotiate. They were here to find an outlet for their rage. And Joe wasn¡¯t about to let his team be the target.

    With Quick Wit active, Joe¡¯s senses sharpened, catching every shifty movement, every twitchy hand, and the slow, deliberate creeping of bodies closing in from all sides. His gut tightened, a flash of memory surfacing: a ratfolk on one of the earlier floors, time stolen, crumpled like discarded trash.

    Dawn stepped forward, her fists clenched at her sides. Her gaze swept over the crowd, steady and unflinching. ¡°You talk at us like we¡¯re your enemy, but look around. I see defiance, and that¡¯s good. None of us asked to be here, but we all made choices in our past lives that brought us here.¡± She locked eyes with the stoner homer guy. ¡°If you choose destruction, no one wins but the Lich.¡±

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    The crowd shifted uneasily. An ascender pushed past Andras, raising his voice. ¡°I heard if we stop cooperating, the Lich will just wither and die from boredom.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s lips twitched in a humorless smile. ¡°I trust rumors about as much as I trust a gambler promising their next hand is a winner. Until I know better, here¡¯s what I believe. If you don¡¯t play the game, you¡¯re playing with fire. There¡¯s still hope¡ªnot just for my faction, but for all of us. But that hope goes up in flames if we turn on each other and start tearing each other apart.¡±

    Joe stepped forward, scanning the crowd with Quick Wit. ¡°And that¡¯s exactly the Lich¡¯s game. Whether you realize it or not, every bit of chaos we cause for each other¡­it¡¯s what he wants. It¡¯s his playbook. You want to beat him? Stop doing his dirty work for him.¡±

    Joe¡¯s words seemed to strike a chord. A few ascenders exchanged uncertain glances, their confidence wavering.

    ¡°Job done,¡± TJ called from behind, his voice casual but firm.

    Rose stepped forward, her glowing staff catching the light as she positioned herself front and center. Joe knew her shield spell could buy them some precious time if things went sideways, depending on how nasty the ascenders¡¯ countermeasures were.

    Dawn¡¯s gaze swept over the room. ¡°As I said, floor six is unlocked. It¡¯s up to you whether you stay here or ascend. But hear this: if anyone tries to stop us, in Nerus¡¯ name, we will defend ourselves.¡± Her voice carried a weight Joe hadn¡¯t heard before, and he blinked as golden sparks flared around her, dancing like fireflies. Her hair lifted in a ghostly breeze, and the smug grin melted right off Stoner Homer¡¯s face. The crowd hesitated, then began to back away, scattering toward the exit in twos and threes.

    Joe exhaled. As always, he was glad not to be the center of attention.

    Their hoodies stayed orange, as expected. Transferring the time stored in the crystals would be way safer back in the orange zone common room. Notifications blinked in the corner of his vision, but Joe ignored them for now. Unless it was a message from Ryan or something critical, it could wait. He preferred to assign his hard-earned flex points from this floor in peace, without a mob breathing down his neck.

    A message pinged in his view.

    Ryan: Nick said there¡¯s a crowd in the Queen¡¯s chamber. I take it you guys are still there. Need us to double back and fend them off?

    Joe: We¡¯ve got a handle on it, collected loot, and about to leave.

    Dawn: It looks quiet outside in the tunnels. Larvae disappeared from the chamber. Did you see what happened to the warrior velvet ants?

    Nick: Map showed a swarm earlier but now they¡¯re just¡­gone. Did you see the art on the tunnel walls? It was strange.

    Dawn: Yeah, upright cows with polearms. I¡¯m not sure what that has to do with the ants.

    Joe: Velvet ants were called "Cow Killers" in my world because the female sting was excruciatingly painful. Maybe Poppy knows what the connection is but can¡¯t say.

    Ryan: A mystery for later, I guess.

    Joe: Head to floor six and see if you can talk any anarchist factions into an alliance. Get them focused on the Lich¡¯s phylactery instead of blocking ascenders from killing titans.

    Ryan: I¡¯ll try. Confessions and advice only go so far. Let¡¯s see if anyone listens.

    Gaia: This is why reputation matters more than time wealth. Not that I enjoy pointing out how right I am about everything, of course. It¡¯s simply my ancient wisdom talking.

    Joe sighed, imagining Gaia¡¯s self-satisfied smirk as she mentally typed her message.

    TJ: Good luck with the Drama Queens.

    ¡°You¡¯ll need it,¡± Dawn muttered under her breath, skipping the chat entirely.

    Joe: Watch your back. Andras is really interested in your ability to control guardians.

    Ryan: Good to know, thanks. He¡¯s the one that¡¯ll need to watch his back. I kick ass for the Lord.

    Divine intervention beats bardic inspiration.

    Joe turned as Stoner Homer raised a sloppy salute, backing away with a lazy grin, leaving only Andras, Otto, and Lucky in the chamber.

    ¡°I¡¯m not your enemy, you know.¡± Andras¡¯ fingers traced idle circles in the air. ¡°Some of the weaker-minded ascenders here are clearly losing their grip on reality.¡±

    Joe narrowed his eyes. ¡°You accused us of rigging the system.¡±

    ¡°Did I?¡± Andras tilted his head in mock surprise. ¡°Let bygones be bygones, my dear friend. We both want the same thing, after all.¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Joe snapped. ¡°But we¡¯ve got very different ideas about how to get there. We¡¯re not friends, but I don¡¯t want to be enemies either.¡±

    Andras smiled, slow and calculated.

    Joe matched it, his gaze darting to Lucky, then back to Andras. ¡°But if you try to hurt anyone I care about, I will come for you.¡±

    Andras wet his lips and motioned for Otto to follow. ¡°Come on, we have better places to be.¡± They strolled toward the exit, casual as a couple of tourists.

    A snap of Andras¡¯s fingers cracked through the air. ¡°Lucky.¡±

    The little ratfolk flinched, ears twitching, but hesitated. Instead, he bolted toward Joe, shoving something soft into his hand before stepping back.

    Realizing they were Evel¡¯s magic edible undies, Joe grimaced and shoved them into his inventory.

    Lucky threw his arms around Robyn in a swift hug, his glossy black eyes glimmering with hope.

    ¡°Best of luck.¡± Lucky gave Joe a quick wink.

    Before Joe could respond, the little ratfolk scampered off after Andras. For the first time, his tail wasn¡¯t dragging. It was held high.

    ¡°No point hanging around here.¡± Brian adjusted his crossbow. ¡°The sooner we hit the sixth-floor common room, the sooner we can divide up those time crystals.¡±

    Joe nodded, even as the tension in his gut coiled tighter. Right now, it felt like they were wearing targets on their backs.

    They slipped into the tunnels, heading for the topside. Ahead, Andras, Otto, and Lucky¡¯s footsteps echoed in the distance.

    Robyn shivered. ¡°Is it me, or does it feel colder?¡±

    Dawn froze mid-step, her eyes widening. ¡°Run!¡± she hissed, grabbing Joe¡¯s arm. ¡°We have to get topside now.¡±

    Joe¡¯s senses fired on all cylinders. He squinted at the faint light spilling from the tunnel¡¯s exit up ahead, the same one Lucky had disappeared through just minutes ago. ¡°What the hell did you see?¡± he demanded as they bolted toward it.

    ¡°Hollows. Lots of them. Topside. And they¡¯re coming this way.¡± Dawn¡¯s words slammed into his gut like ice water.

    Light hit his face like a slap as they burst into the open. Dawn led the charge across the churned-up soil, the remnants of monster swarms leaving the ground uneven and treacherous.

    Joe caught movement out of the corner of his eye¡ªa dark, silent mass, speeding toward Andras¡¯ group like death itself.

    Lucky sprinted ahead, the smallest blur of motion, and activated the safe zone entrance. He held the door open, his eyes wide with urgency.

    Andras didn¡¯t even glance at Otto as he shoved past Lucky and slipped inside without hesitation.

    Joe¡¯s stomach sank. A hollow lunged at Otto, slamming into him and taking him down. For a moment, Otto¡¯s strength showed as he shoved the creature off and scrambled back to his feet. As if stunned, the hollow ran back towards the incoming horde.

    Otto stood with his back to Joe watching the hollow retreat. His fists clenched and he slowly turned around.

    A crimson Touch of Madness debuff blinked above his head like a warning sign.

    Otto¡¯s feral eyes locked onto Joe, a predator zeroing in on its prey. With an animalistic snarl, he charged.

 ATC 2 Ch. 22: Monkey Business

    Two things happened as Otto tore towards Joe. First, Merv¡¯s messages blinked in his vision like a persistent migraine, marked urgent by the self-serving prick. The second was Brian stepping in front of him, cutting off Joe¡¯s view of Otto¡¯s murderous red eyes and frothing, rabid snarl.

    "Stay behind me," Brian yelled, throwing out an arm like a human barricade as the others instinctively huddled closer. His voice turned absurdly calm as he added, "Rose, may I borrow your staff?"

    Without missing a beat, Rose handed it over.

    Joe tightened his grip on his butterfly knives, eyes flicking to the hollows. Magic wouldn¡¯t work on them, but physical attacks did. Being within reach of hollow would increase their risk of getting Touch of Madness. Everyone knew it.

    Otto lunged, and Brian met him head-on, sweeping the staff like a broom and knocking Otto flat. Brian wasn¡¯t a skilled fighter, but he used his size and reach like a battering ram, deflecting Otto¡¯s frenzied attacks. The deranged elf hit the ground again and again, writhing like a snake with rabies.

    The dark elf¡¯s limbs twisted unnaturally as he scrambled to his feet, only to launch himself at Brian again, eyes blazing with mindless rage.

    Robyn let out a squeak as Otto broke through Brian¡¯s defense for a split second, claws raking across his hand. He stumbled back, terror flashing in his wide eyes, until Joe pulled him in close.

    ¡°Touch of Madness.¡± Robyn gasped, pointing shakily at Brian.

    ¡°He¡¯s immune.¡± Joe kept his voice steady. Relief flooded through him; at least that hadn¡¯t changed. But there was no time to dwell on it. More hollows were closing in, their silent advance relentless.

    Urgent messages from Merv still blinked in Joe¡¯s vision, demanding attention. With his eyes burning like they were filled with grit, he begrudgingly opened the alliance chat.

    Merv: Where are you? It¡¯s chaos in here. Fights breaking out. I need backup.

    Joe rolled his eyes. Since when does Merv need help?

    Halcyon¡¯s voice cut in. Since it suits him. Watch yourself.

    Joe: Not now, Merv. We¡¯re near the entrance, but hollows are closing in.

    More messages flooded the chat, but since none were marked urgent, Joe dismissed them.

    Survival first.

    Brian¡¯s jaw clenched as he fought. His gaze flicked between Otto and the advancing sea of hollows, desperation sharpening his movements. When Otto broke through his defense again, Brian shifted his weight and brought the staff crashing down like a hammer. Otto hit the ground, writhing, but it wasn¡¯t over.

    Joe caught the flicker of hesitation in Brian¡¯s eyes¡ªregret, even¡ªbut the big guy didn¡¯t falter. With a grimace, he stomped down on Otto¡¯s head. Once. Twice. Again and again until Otto¡¯s form dissolved into a shimmering haze of respawn particles.

    Joe swallowed hard. It was brutal to watch, but it had been a mercy. Otto wouldn¡¯t make it to the safe room with Touch of Madness still active. Staying here until the debuff wore off meant a gruesome end, torn apart by the swarm closing in.

    Lucky stood at the green zone door, holding it open, his eyes darting frantically between the approaching hollows and Joe. ¡°Come on, hurry! Get inside!¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach twisted. Lucky must¡¯ve forgotten. They couldn¡¯t enter a green zone common room. Orange zoners didn¡¯t get a pass, even in life-or-death moments.

    Andras strolled up behind Lucky, calm as if he had all the time in the world. ¡°Orange zoners can¡¯t enter here,¡± he said with a cold smile. ¡°Close the door.¡±

    Lucky hesitated, his whiskers trembling, but before he could respond, Andras grabbed his arm and yanked him back. The door whooshed shut, petals folding inward like a flower retreating from darkness.

    The hollows crept closer, silent and deadly, their glowing eyes locking onto the group. Joe activated Quick Wit, measuring the distance to the orange zone entrance. ¡°Too far.¡±

    Brian¡¯s voice was grim. ¡°We try anyway.¡±

    Joe nodded, every muscle in his body screaming to run. They bolted for the entrance, Brian taking the rear to shield them, but the swarm was faster, closing in with terrifying speed. The air grew colder, and Joe felt the weight of inevitability press on his chest.

    They weren¡¯t going to make it.

    A halo of light spilled out as the entrance peeled open, framing a single figure. It took Joe a split second to recognize Ryan. He stood like a gunslinger, scaled fingers barely fitting around mismatched triggers.

    Ryan squeezed off several shots. The rounds struck the leading hollows, not stopping them but slowing their relentless advance. Silent as death, the creatures shifted course, zeroing in on him.

    ¡°What the hell¡¯s he doing?¡± TJ growled. ¡°They¡¯ll block our entry!¡±

    He wasn¡¯t wrong.

    While hollows couldn¡¯t enter safe zones, they could bottleneck the entrance, making it impossible for Joe¡¯s group to get through without catching Touch of Madness. Even Brian couldn¡¯t physically hold them all off.

    Ryan didn¡¯t seem fazed. He flashed a knowing grin and stepped to the side.

    In his place, a massive form loomed, ducking low to clear the doorway. It placed both hands on the frame and emerged, straightening to its full, awe-inspiring height.

    Brian¡¯s jaw dropped. Joe¡¯s did too.

    A tower defensive guardian stood there, a monstrous hybrid of kaiju flesh and glinting armor. Its limbs rippled with muscle, scales and plates fused into an unholy fortress of destruction. Ryan raised himself onto his toes and rested his scaly hand on the guardian¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°The hollows are corrupted,¡± Ryan said, his voice calm and firm. ¡°Charge them before they taint the tower.¡±

    Without hesitation, the guardian launched forward like a rocket, a battering ram of raw power. The front line of hollows crumpled on impact, sent sprawling like leaves in a storm. But the horde kept coming, swarming the guardian¡¯s frame as it smashed through their ranks.

    Some hollows broke free, rushing toward Joe¡¯s group.

    Joe clamped his mouth shut and reacted, scooping Robyn into a princess carry. ¡°Move!¡± He bolted for the entrance. His urgency jolted the others into action, feet pounding against the churned ground.

    He reached the threshold last, icy air biting at his cheeks as an ashen hand swiped for him. Joe threw himself into a forward roll, cradling Robyn against his chest.

    They landed hard inside the safe zone. Joe¡¯s breath came in short, ragged bursts as he stared back at the entrance. A hollow slammed into an invisible barrier just as the door whooshed shut, sealing them inside.

    Merv leaned against the wall, watching as TJ and Brian helped Joe and Robyn to their feet. He made no move to approach, his posture oozing indifference.

    Joe, recalling Merv''s frantic messages, scanned the common room. No brawls. No chaos. Nothing that matched the so-called emergency.

    He flicked his hair out of his eyes and tugged at his hoodie, smoothing it out like he hadn¡¯t just rolled into the room like a tumbleweed.

    TJ crouched in front of Robyn, grabbing the ratfolk¡¯s loose laces and knotting them tight. ¡°Last thing we need is you tripping over these and breaking your neck.¡±

    ¡°Erm¡­thanks.¡± Robyn flexed his paws, each claw jolting out of sync like a broken ratchet. ¡°Not exactly built for fine motor skills, y¡¯know? Lace-tying¡¯s a nightmare.¡±

    Rose leaned on her bloodied staff, her gaze drifting across the room. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t zippers on the sides make life easier for everyone?¡±

    The little ratfolk nodded like it was the best idea he ever heard.

    Ryan, standing nearby, followed Joe¡¯s gaze to Merv.

    ¡°I thought this place was in chaos after the titan died.¡± Joe gestured to the room.

    ¡°It was.¡± Ryan shrugged. ¡°But after one of the armchair anarchists threw a spiked chair through a viewing screen, the guardians showed up, and the spineless twat bolted for the elevator to the sixth floor.¡±

    Ryan adjusted his scaled hand, the ridges glinting in the light. ¡°Took some effort, but I got control of the guardian. Once everyone saw he was under my command, I gave them some friendly advice: stop fighting or risk having their heads ripped off.¡±

    Joe glanced around the near-empty common room. ¡°Guess they decided heading to the sixth floor sounded like a better option.¡±

    Ryan nodded. ¡°Saw your message to Merv in the alliance chat when you finally got around to replying. Figured you might need an extra pair of hands to deal with the hollows.¡± He grinned, raising his scaly hand. The ridges and bumps seemed sharper, more pronounced than before. Joe thought he spotted scales creeping up Ryan¡¯s neck, but his beard and hoodie collar hid most of it.

    ¡°How are you holding up?¡± Joe nodded towards Ryan¡¯s hand.

    Ryan¡¯s grin faltered. ¡°Stronger in some ways. Weaker in others.¡± His tone was flat, carefully neutral, like he wasn¡¯t ready to talk about the kaiju infection taking hold of his body.

    Joe didn¡¯t press him further. He understood what it was like to feel like part of your body wasn¡¯t entirely yours anymore. Halcyon had made sure of that. Maybe he and Ryan were in the same sinking boat¡ªdifferent currents, same destination.

    Not wanting to dwell on that unsettling thought, Joe turned his focus to Merv.

    ¡°Merv!¡± he called, motioning him over.

    Merv glanced over his shoulder, shifting like a shady dealer trying to avoid a sting. Then, as if he had all the time in the world, he ambled toward Joe.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to wait here for us.¡± Dawn crossed her arms, her sharp gaze locked on Merv.

    "Thought a fine-looking gal like you''d miss me." Merv¡¯s sleazy grin was enough to make Joe cringe. "If you fancy a quick shag to work off tension, I''m game."

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Dawn¡¯s scowl could have frozen molten lava. She feigned a swift kick to his groin, making Merv stumble back, hands instinctively flying to protect himself.

    "I¡¯d rather sit in a bath of acid and hammer nails into my head," she snapped. "Now stop dodging the question. Why are you still hanging around here like a bad smell?"

    Merv straightened, trying to recover his dignity. "Wanted a pint from the drinks machine." He shrugged as though that explained everything. "Fierce thirst on me."

    Robyn frowned. "He''s lying."

    Merv''s expression darkened, and for a moment, it looked like he might throw a punch. But Dawn and TJ¡¯s stares pinned him in place.

    His fists unclenched, though his sneer didn¡¯t waver. ¡°You¡¯re just sore because I sent you away from the red zone for your own safety.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t need Robyn¡¯s ability to know that was pure bull. ¡°One more chance.¡± Joe stepped closer. ¡°What were you doing in the red zone, and what¡¯s got you so scared you¡¯d rather sit here with a crowd ready to murder each rather than head to floor six?¡±

    Merv¡¯s face twisted, curses muttered under his breath like each word physically hurt. Then, crossing his arms, he plastered on a thin, menacing smile. ¡°What¡¯s the truth worth to ya?¡±

    ¡°Two hundred time credits,¡± a gruff, yet tinny voice rang out from behind him.

    Joe turned to see a shadowed figure enter from the corridor, his form unfamiliar.

    The ascender stepped into the light, causing the ring on his thick fingers to glint. Joe half expected to see him wearing a helmet based on his metallic rough voice. ¡°Sorry to interrupt your little reunion but our boy Merv here¡¯s been avoiding me. And like they say, there¡¯s only two certainties in life. Death and taxes. Lucky for me, I¡¯m in the business of both.¡±

    Merv visibly flinched, his bravado draining like air from a punctured balloon. ¡°I just need a bit more¡ª¡±

    "Time?" The stranger¡¯s voice sharpened as he stepped closer, hands tucked casually in his green hoodie pockets. "Funny that, you needing time. It¡¯s what I deal in, mate, and let me tell you, extensions aren¡¯t part of the package. Bad precedent. Sends the wrong message." He leaned in just enough to make Merv squirm. His gaze circled the group. ¡°Which one of these generous souls is your guarantor?¡±

    Joe shared a tense look with Dawn, dread pooling in the pit of his stomach.

    Merv turned full Judas, throwing his hands up like he was the victim. ¡°Hey Joe, I had to pick someone. I was so close. If that damn battlebox went how I expected, we¡¯d be the richest faction by a long shot.¡±

    Dawn stepped forward, her fingers flexing like she was ready to strangle him. ¡°Have you been sniffing glue? You had no right to name Joe as guarantor on your time debt.¡±

    She jabbed a finger at the stranger in the green hoodie. ¡°This lying bozo didn¡¯t ask Joe to be guarantor, so it doesn¡¯t count, right?¡±

    The stranger reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black leather notebook. He flipped it open with a casual flick of his wrist, the gesture oddly graceful for someone with hands that looked built for cracking skulls. ¡°Oh, I agree. He¡¯s a lying bozo with the credit score of a corpse. That¡¯s why I made him sign a system-approved waiver. And guess what? He chose Joe as guarantor.¡±

    Dawn bristled, her shoulders stiffening. ¡°But he had no right¡ª¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s in your faction,¡± the stranger interrupted, holding the notebook up like a holy relic. ¡°That gave him the right to pick any of you. That¡¯s the way it works, sweetheart. Don¡¯t shoot the messenger.¡±

    Anger burned hot in Joe¡¯s chest. ¡°Why risk everything for a few more time credits, Merv? You weren¡¯t even close to being GORED.¡±

    Merv shrugged, like he was being asked why he didn¡¯t return a library book. ¡°Because I could. Do you know how many red zone battleboxes I¡¯d have to win to earn a place in the green zone? I saw a shortcut, so I took it.¡±

    Joe¡¯s fingers curled into fists. ¡°We had plenty of time crystals after killing the titan! You could have earned a mint¡­¡±

    ¡°Battlebox challenges are quicker,¡± Merv said, his tone smug. ¡°And facing a titan without my brothers? Not gonna happen. You lot are used to fighting together. I¡¯m not. Loyalty and trust don¡¯t happen overnight. I was a faction leader. I don¡¯t take orders from anyone.¡±

    TJ¡¯s fist collided with Merv¡¯s jaw before anyone could stop him. The sound of the hit echoed in the room as Merv staggered back into the stranger, who caught him like he was handling a sack of groceries.

    A system notification popped up:

    [Fight Tax Issued Against Ascender 47 for Striking Ascender 39 in the Common Room. Four time credits added to the Jackpot of Immortality.]

    The stranger adjusted Merv¡¯s stance, brushing him off like he was dusting a vase. ¡°Right, anyone else feel like throwing away their time credits, or are we ready to move on?¡±

    No one spoke.

    ¡°Lovely. Back to business, then.¡± He tapped the notebook with one finger. ¡°Joe, as guarantor, you owe¡ª¡±

    ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa. If we¡¯re on a first-name basis, I want to know yours,¡± Joe cut in, folding his arms across his chest.

    The stranger smiled, Bond villain style, revealing a thick band of pale gums and teeth like jagged shards of ivory, gleaming with menace. ¡°I never share my first name. You can call me Mr. Orange.¡±

    Joe rolled his shoulders back. ¡°Fine, Mr. Orange. How much does Merv owe?¡±

    Mr. Orange paused for dramatic effect, flipping a page in his notebook like he was revealing the bill at a five-star restaurant. ¡°One thousand and twenty-five credits.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach sank. Even if the entire faction pooled their time crystals, it wouldn¡¯t scratch the surface.

    He glared at Merv, who had the audacity to look mildly annoyed, like he¡¯d been caught sneaking the last cookie. The urge to knock him out cold nearly overwhelmed Joe, but he couldn¡¯t afford the fight tax. Kicking Merv out of the faction crossed his mind, but he didn¡¯t need the guy running off to stir up more trouble as a rogue.

    It felt like Joe constantly had a monkey on his back¡ªas if a snarky dragon riding shotgun in his soul wasn¡¯t enough trouble already.

    He had to figure a way out. Mr. Orange seemed like a businessman, and businessmen liked deals. Maybe there was some middle ground to find. ¡°I don¡¯t have that amount in time crystals or in my soul bank. How about I pay in installments?¡±

    Mr. Orange chuckled, low and raspy, his shoulders shaking with amusement. ¡°See, I like to think I¡¯m a reasonable man. But Merv here¡±¡ªhe clapped Merv on the back hard enough to make him stumble¡ª¡°bless him,...gambled I¡¯d look the other way on a little, let¡¯s call it creative accounting. I didn¡¯t. He owes me, and, given the turn of events, he¡¯s handed that debt to you like a careless lover passes on a venereal disease.¡±

    Dawn¡¯s lip curled. ¡°You¡¯re just a gangster profiting off the desperation in the red zone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a gangster. In my past life, sure, maybe I had my fingers in a few pies.¡± Mr. Orange adjusted the cuffs of his green hoodie like he was at a boardroom meeting instead of shaking someone down. ¡°But now? I¡¯m a businessman. A businessman who knows exactly what people want and what they think they need. Sometimes they¡¯re wrong. Sometimes they¡¯re not. And here, in this delightful little slice of purgatory, the most valuable thing happens to be time. And Joe¡­¡± He snapped the notebook shut. ¡°Your time is nearly up.¡±

    TJ shot a filthy glare at Merv. ¡°Maybe you got wax in your ears Mr. Orange, but Joe told you. We don¡¯t have enough time currency to cover Merv the Perv¡¯s crazy debt. Paying in installments is the best we can do. So move your bony ass outta the way before the mana tide poisons us all.¡±

    Mr. Orange¡¯s grin stretched wide, but his eyes narrowed. He wagged a finger at TJ, his voice dripping with mock disappointment. ¡°I let the first insult slide, mate, but the second? Tsk, tsk.¡± He flicked an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve. ¡°Time is everything. I deal in short-term loans, and I always collect when payment is due. And let me be clear. Payment is due within the hour. I can¡¯t risk letting you leave here without honoring that debt.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice,¡± TJ snapped, his fists clenched.

    ¡°My mistake¡­¡± Mr. Orange¡¯s grin shifted, turning almost apologetic. He twisted a ring on his finger, the metal catching the dim light, and with a subtle flick of his wrist, something shimmered into existence. In his hand sat a miniature gilded birdcage, empty but glinting ominously. He popped the little latch with deliberate care, his grin now razor-sharp. ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡±

    At first, nothing happened. Then came a sound. A faint tick-tick-tick, like an old clock trying to remember how time worked. Joe leaned forward, squinting.

    Something moved.

    It crawled out slowly, a little brass automaton about the size of a spider monkey, its body made up of polished metal plates and spinning gears. Its face was an unsettling mix of humanoid features and a cracked grin that never seemed to reach its lifeless, glassy eyes. In its hands were tiny brass cymbals, dull and scratched from what looked like a lot of use.

    Dawn shuddered. ¡°That thing gives me the creeps.¡±

    A chill crept up Joe¡¯s spine. It looked like a steampunk version of those creepy cymbal monkeys he¡¯d seen in horror movies. The ones that started moving on their own. The automaton scurried up Mr. Orange¡¯s arm with unnerving smoothness, its tiny legs clicking against the fabric of his green hoodie.

    Perched on Mr. Orange¡¯s shoulder, the creature tilted its head sharply, scanning the room with jerky movements. Then its jaw unhinged with a metallic clink, revealing an impossibly dark void, as if it had swallowed a piece of the night sky.

    ¡°Say hello to Sprocket.¡± Mr. Orange¡¯s grin widened in a way that made Joe¡¯s skin crawl. ¡°My loyal little helper. Quite the talented conduit.¡±

    Joe¡¯s mind raced. ¡°Conduit for what?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m glad you asked.¡± Mr. Orange tapped the top of Sprocket¡¯s head, and a thin wisp of shadow began to flow from its open maw. The temperature in the room dropped like a door to an ice cave had cracked open.

    Behind Joe, Gaia stiffened. ¡°He¡¯s¡­manipulating ley lines. You can¡¯t just¡ª¡±

    ¡°Manipulating?¡± Mr. Orange interrupted, feigning a hurt expression. ¡°Sweetheart, no that¡¯s such a crude word. I prefer to call it¡­alignment.¡±

    More shadows poured forth, pooling into the air like liquid smoke. The tendrils gathered and shifted, forming into shapes. No, not shapes¡ªfigures.

    They flickered and warped, sometimes humanoid, sometimes all wrong¡ªjagged limbs, twisting edges, and empty voids where eyes should be. Their forms pulsed like static caught between dimensions, impossible to track or predict.

    ¡°No need to collect time debt by brute force when I can summon Shades,¡± Mr. Orange said casually, as if naming a favorite dessert. ¡°Temporal Shades, to be exact. Nasty little creatures that exist between moments in time. Difficult to perceive, impossible to catch, and absolutely insatiable when it comes to time.¡±

    Joe¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s simple, really.¡± Mr. Orange reached up to stroke Sprocket like it was a pet. ¡°When a Shade latches onto a host, it drains every second of time from their soul bank. Minutes, hours, years¡­it doesn¡¯t matter. They take it all. And the best part?¡± He leaned forward, that smile still plastered on his face. ¡°Once I send them, there¡¯s no calling them off. They have a one-hundred-percent success rate.¡±

    A flicker of fear crept into Joe¡¯s chest, but he kept his voice steady. ¡°You¡¯re really telling me you just let these things loose if someone can¡¯t pay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a monster.¡± Mr. Orange waved a hand, feigning offense. ¡°I only use them as a last resort. Most of my clients are smart enough to pay their debts on time. But for the unfortunate few who don¡¯t? Well, Sprocket here ensures they¡¯re reminded of the consequences.¡±

    The cymbal monkey clapped its brass hands together with a sharp clang.

    Joe flinched despite himself.

    ¡°Relax,¡± Mr. Orange said with a chuckle. ¡°I haven¡¯t sent them after you. Yet.¡±

    Joe¡¯s fists clenched as his mind spun through options.

    This guy wasn¡¯t just dangerous, he was the kind of dangerous that came wrapped in rules, like the gangsters in movies who lived and died by their code. Breaking the rules was bad for business, and if Mr. Orange wanted to keep playing the slick loan shark, he¡¯d have to follow that same logic.

    Joe just needed to find the cracks in the game and lean into them before the Shades came calling.

    ¡°Hold up.¡± Joe held out a hand. ¡°You¡¯ve got a code, right? A reputation? Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t be running this whole operation.¡±

    Mr. Orange raised an eyebrow, the gears in his mind clearly turning as fast as Sprocket¡¯s clockwork innards. ¡°Go on.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t send the Shades after someone before their payment deadline. That¡¯s bad for business. Word gets out, and suddenly no one¡¯s taking your deals. No one trusts a loan shark who moves the goalposts.¡±

    A grin spread across Mr. Orange¡¯s face. ¡°Oh, I like this. You think you¡¯ve figured me out.¡±

    Joe ignored the knot in his gut and pressed on. ¡°You said the Shades are a last resort, right? So here¡¯s the deal. I¡¯ll challenge you to a battlebox match. One round, winner takes all. It¡¯ll be over before the payment deadline, which means you get what¡¯s owed either way. No rules broken. No trust lost.¡±

    The silence hung thick.

    Joe could feel the weight of Dawn¡¯s gaze boring into his back, her unspoken ¡®What are you doing?¡¯ almost louder than the ticking of Sprocket¡¯s gears.

    Mr. Orange chuckled, slow and deliberate, like he was savoring the moment. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re a clever one, aren¡¯t you, sunshine? A bit na?ve, perhaps, but clever. I¡¯ll give you that.¡±

    He stepped closer, the shadows around him pulling tighter, as if they were drawn to his every word. ¡°But here¡¯s the thing about clever people: they tend to think they¡¯re smarter than they are. They overplay their hand.¡±

    Joe didn¡¯t flinch, but his jaw tightened. ¡°So, what? You¡¯re scared to take the challenge?¡±

    Mr. Orange¡¯s grin sharpened, his teeth glinting in the dim light. ¡°Scared? Oh, no, no. You misunderstand me. I¡¯m a businessman, not a brute. And I do love a good game.¡±

    Joe waited, his heart thudding in his chest as Mr. Orange turned the thought over in his mind.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Mr. Orange said finally, a glint of amusement in his eye. ¡°I¡¯ll agree to your terms. If¡ªand this is a big ¡®if¡¯¡ªI get to set the conditions.¡±

    Joe¡¯s stomach sank, but he kept his face neutral. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡±

    Mr. Orange¡¯s grin stretched wider as he tapped Sprocket¡¯s brass head, the automaton clanging its cymbals together in a slow, mocking rhythm. He stepped in close, leaning just enough so only Joe could hear. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll see soon enough. Let¡¯s just say¡­I never play a game I can¡¯t win.¡±