Chapter 71: The Alcantraz Tower

Stepping inside the tower, my eyes were immediately drawn to the massive network of interconnected steel frames that formed a central structure. From the outside, the tower appeared covered, preventing me from glimpsing its contents. But now, within its confines, the steel frame structure was clear and visible.

Apart from the intricate framework, there seemed to be no other construction within the tower. However, as I continued to survey the area, another sight caught my attention—a white pagoda. Inside, Jack sat calmly, as if in deep meditation. He appeared undisturbed by my presence, completely motionless since I entered.

Within the darkened surroundings of the tower, the pagoda served as the sole source of light, its magic circle continuously activating. It became evident that Jack was the one operating the pagoda's magic circle, maintaining the illumination within the tower.

Realizing that Jack wasn't going to acknowledge me further, I continued my path towards the pagoda, for it seemed there was nothing else to do in this enigmatic place.

"I never expected to see you here," Jack's voice suddenly echoed in the silence.

"I never thought someone like you would bother talking to a nobody like me," I replied, dripping with sarcasm.

"You're still a nobody to me, don't worry. It's just that you've become a nobody who managed to pique my interest," Jack retorted, his tone unchanged.

Deciding not to engage in further argument, I remained silent. My focus shifted back to the tower itself. Jack's presence was a concern, but understanding the tower's function held greater importance. Still, I didn't lower my guard, aware that even a momentary lapse could lead to my demise.

"Wondering what this place is?" Jack's voice resonated again, catching me off guard.

"Would you care to enlighten me?" I cautiously inquired.

"Of course not," Jack responded predictably. I expected as much. But then, he stood up and uttered something that sent chills down my spine.

"But then again, as someone who managed to arrive here, I suppose you deserve the privilege of knowing the name of this tower. Let it be the last thing you know before your death."

Jack turned around, locking his gaze with mine. Goosebumps ran down my spine as his eyes bore into me, and I desperately wanted to avert my gaze, but I couldn't.

"The name of this tower is Alcantraz Tower, associated with the Great Mage Alcantraz," Jonathan calmly stated the name of the tower.

"Fuck!" I cursed inwardly. While Jonathan seemed unfazed, I was completely terrified by the name. Alcantraz Tower might have been unfamiliar to me, but I was all too familiar with the Great Mage called Alcantraz. In fact, there wasn't a soul who hadn't heard his name, for he carried a notorious moniker—the "Evil Necromancer Alcantraz."

Alcantraz Maximus, a great mage renowned for his extraordinary potential. Throughout history, his name stood among the most talented mages of all time. But beyond his talent, his reputation was far from clean.

When people spoke of Alcantraz, it was invariably connected to his chosen field of magic—necromancy. Necromancy was a dark and often misunderstood branch of magic, involving the manipulation of life force and the undead. In the present era, dark magic was not necessarily regarded as inherently evil, as humans had advanced beyond the notion of categorizing all dark magic as such. With proper guidance, even dark magic could contribute positively to human development.

However, Alcantraz was born in an era when dark magic was widely perceived as evil. While other necromancers of his time either sought to prove the misconception surrounding necromancy or practiced it in secrecy, Alcantraz embraced the idea of the "Evil Necromancer." He showcased the horrifying potential of necromancy and how its power, when wielded for evil, could wreak havoc.

With his undead army, Alcantraz terrorized not only humans but also other races. He committed acts of murder, theft, and destruction, leaving a trail of evil in his wake.

His atrocities were so severe that they forced the various races to unite against him. Alcantraz was a one-man army commanding a massive force of undead, battling against the united front of humans and other races.

After a grueling seven-day battle, Alcantraz's magic eventually depleted, and he was finally slain by the allied forces. However, the price paid for victory was immense, with seventy percent of the total forces wiped out. Such devastation served as a grim reminder in the annals of history.

Upon hearing the name of this tower, even without knowing its function, I understood that it boded ill, and I needed to escape swiftly.

Without hesitation, I turned to leave, only to realize that the door through which I had entered had vanished. I couldn't pinpoint when it had disappeared, as I had been solely focused on what lay ahead. Moreover, my instincts had failed to provide any significant warning, reducing my concerns as I traversed deeper into this place.

Perhaps I had become overly reliant on my instincts, which made me vulnerable in situations like this. Now, trapped within the confines of the tower, I could only hope to navigate through safely.