Chapter 10 - People, Oh Sweet Nightmares, and a Urgent Plea!

Floor 2: Goblin Infested Plains

Threat Level: H - H+

To advance to the next floor, defeat a tribe and use their totem in the Chieftains Hut to advance to the next floor.

Sitting by a small fire pit eating my cooked fish. The Academy taught a lot of valuable skills and information, specifically it had information for floors 1 to 15. The monsters you can find, ways to proceed up the Tower. Not necessarily everything being in plain sight. The popup about Floor 2 for example is a perfect, it mentions how to proceed "normally". However you can get bonus rewards if you clear out a specific number of goblin's or entire tribes. 'Which is good aim for me at the moment, get more gear, do not have to worry about skill books, but if they do happen to drop well by all means.' Skill books are usually a boss drop, being a skill the boss has or can have. Or a unique monster or through a quest generated by the system. 'Now those things are rarer than rare, No information about quests leaves tight knit groups who are in the know. People have killed to keep them a secret to farm benefits for themselves.' Tossing the fish bones into the fire, I stand up stretching out. 'A quick nights rest and then the tribe nearby is going to get butchered.' stamping out my campfire with dirt and gravel smothering the flames. I check for any errant coals, determining it's out for good. I look around at the trees in the vicinity. Looking back at the river I walk in the opposite direction of it for a few minutes, to be away from any wildlife or monsters that might use it. Finding a big enough tree, that has some low hanging branches, I quickly grab ahold of one pulling myself up. 'Future stat distribution is up in the air, since I don't know how my first level will affect my body. And most people start at 1. What's with this zero.. mocking me..'

Level: 0

Mentally throwing it away. I grab another branch above me, climbing up three more to find one just large enough to fit my body sitting up against the tree's trunk, but keeps me out of sight of those who would look up. 'People seldom look up for whatever reason..' Pulling out the bowstring and laces from earlier i tie my ankles loosely with it to the branch doing the same with the bowstring around my torso to the tree trunk. 'Should keep me just right, wake up before i get jostled to much.' Closing my eyes and letting my mind drift, 'lets see if I can keep some awareness.. still-' darkness meets me.

~unknown amount of time later~

Jolting awake, seeing that it is still the dead of night. I hear the crackle of branches below me. Making as little movement as possible I look over the edge spotting a boar sniffing and tromping around the base of the tree I am in. 'Not what I heard..' tilting my head. I hear a twang as a bolt slams into the side of the boars head, a quick squeal out of reflex as it slumps to the ground more. "Finally got one, who wants some boar tonight?!" a jovial voice shouts out of the some bushes ten feet from my tree. The large man I saw from the guild steps out. Taking a look at him he is bald, built like a thug if you ever saw one. Stereotypical scar going down the side of his head. Maybe my height. wearing iron gear from leggings to chestplate. "Ugh, Allen you are not cooking that. Let Tril do it, definitely a better cook than us both.." a female voice replies from the opposite side of the spot the man walked out from wearing a splotchy brown cloak. Her features hidden in the depths of the cloak. "Mmm, pay me a coin each and I'll cook it!" a third voice replying is a child, that walks out of the bush next to stand next to the female. His hair is wildly all over the place with twigs sticking out of it. 'Correction gnome.. Will they notice? maybe. Would be nice to see a stat spread of someone else..' focusing on the three one after another in quick succession. [Inspect], [Inspect], [Inspect], pings three times.

[Inspected: Allen D. Bors]

Inspected: Allen D. Bors

Name: Allen D. Bors

Date of Birth: ?????

Race: Human

Gender: Male

Height: 5' 8"

Weight: ???

Tier: H

Class: Ranger

Level: 4

Health: ???

Energy: ???

Strength: 12

Endurance: 8

Dexterity: 10

Agility: 12

Perception: 8

Intelligence: 8

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 4

Luck: 15

Resistances

Physical Defense:

Elemental Defense:

Mental Defense:

Soul Defense:

Immunities:

N/A

Skills Name Grade Level Description

Aimed Shot [Common] 3

The user is granted a bonus to accuracy and penetration on a shot fired from a ranged weapon.

Double Shot [Common] 2

Allows the user to fire two shots in quick succession. One physically fired from a ranged weapon, the other created from energy.

Range Weapon Mastery [Uncommon] 1

From continuous and constant use of a variety of ranged weapons you have unlocked Range Weapon Mastery. Granting better accuracy and use of range weaponry.

Inspect [Common] 1

Through continuous use of your perception and analyzing your Foes and Items you have wielded you have unlocked a basic Inspection Skill. Growth of this skill dependant on Perception, Usage, and Knowledge.

[Inspected: Trils A. Bors]

Inspected: Trils A. Bors

Name: Trils A. Bors

Date of Birth: ?????

Race: Gnome

Gender: Male

Height: 3' 6"

Weight: ???

Tier: H+

Class: Hedge Mage

Level: 3

Health: ???

Energy: ???

Strength: 3

Endurance: 6

Dexterity: 6

Agility: 7

Perception: 12

Intelligence: 17

Wisdom: 10

Charisma: 8

Luck: 10

Resistances

Physical Defense:

Elemental Defense:

Mental Defense:

Soul Defense:

Immunities:

N/A

Skills

Name Grade Level Description

Fireball [Common] 3

The user generates and fires a fireball created from their own energy from their palm. Fireball explodes on contact with anything, or when willed by user at higher levels.

Energy Manipulation [Uncommon] 1

From continuously training in the arts of energy manipulation the user unlocked the skill helping the regeneration and manipulation of energy.

Inspect [Common] 1

[Inspected: Alfa E. Tills]

Inspected: Alfa E. Tills

Name: Alfa E. Tills

Date of Birth: ?????

Race: ????

Gender: Female

Height: 5' 3"

Weight: ???

Tier: G

Class: Swordswoman

Level: 5

Health: ???

Energy: ???

Strength:15

Endurance:12

Dexterity:18

Agility:14

Perception:8

Intelligence:10

Wisdom:8

Charisma:16

Luck:7

Resistances

Physical Defense:

Elemental Defense:

Mental Defense:

Soul Defense:

Immunities:

N/A

Skills

Name Grade Level Description

Empowered Lunge [Common] 3

The user empowers their sword and lunges forward.

Basic Body Reinforcement [Common] 1

The user empowers themselves, increasing their physical capabilities.

Swordsmanship [Uncommon] 2

The user has trained in the arts of the sword, honing skill and technique. Grants increased use of swords.

Energy Manipulation [Uncommon] 1

From continuously training in the arts of energy manipulation the user unlocked the skill helping the regeneration and manipulation of energy.

Inspect [Common] 1

The moment the inspect goes of I see the gnome go wide eyed whipping around in all directions. "Someone's here, I just got inspected!" Allen and Alfa go back to back closing in towards each other eyeing their surrounds. "You sure Tril?" asks the woman Alfa. The gnome standing next to them searching around the tree line around them. "Of course I am, Energy is a great interest of mine, the study and use of it allowed me to become a Climber! And I do have a sharp sense for it." he harrumphed as they kept up their vigilance. "Well maybe it was a passing Climber, you know how curious some people are.." comes from Allen as he slowly lowers the crossbow in his hands. Alfa relaxes her grip on her sword but doesn't remove her hand. 'These guys are good for being on floor 2. Didn't they clear a sector during a dungeon break earlier, or were they reporting it. Either way.. calm my breathing since I don't want to attract attention, and I doubt his simple [Energy Manipulation] will allow him to sense [Ancient Steps of the Dark]..' wrapping the skill around myself like a cloak and letting my presence dissolve slowly. Since I'm not actively tensing my body in preparation of a strike the tension and exhaustion from the skill is like a nice warm blanket on my body instead of a taxing ordeal. 'Hopefully soon with the skill usage it will lift more restrictions on the level and allow me more access than a basic stealth..'

'Though comparing stats, they already have a few levels in usually the stat points gained is between 5-10 depending on the person themselves. I still come in close second, though the amount of range in their party would be a hard fight if it came down to it.. Not including the swordswoman.. her stance is good. Really good.' shaking my head lightly. I settle into the tree. The group of three relaxing their guard go about preparing their dinner for the night. gutting the boar, the ranger digging a small hole with a small hand shovel dumping the entrails in. "At least we can finally set up camp for the night.. took you long enough to track the stupid thing." curses the gnome. Allen grunts as he throws the gutted carcass over his shoulder, "Lets head back to camp, cook this thing up and finish the floor tomorrow morning." as they step back into the darkness of the forest around me. Their footsteps die out, to the sounds of the forest. Closing my eyes and focusing on listening if they are really gone. After a few minutes of nothing, and my body settled back into sleep. The darkness took me quickly.

--- ???????? ---

"What are we going to do with you... killed the King, slaughtered the People.. Such a waste to have such a loose end." a voice crawls up my spine. My mouth moving in response, "NO! It wasn't me!" i shout in response. "The demons from the darkness came, led by..." my body turns away from the broken remains of the King and Council Members. "Yo...u.... but how.." my voice trailing off as I stare at the Old General, his grizzled wounds from wars long done having a purplish glow and hue criss-crossing his body, giving a pulse for ever beat of his heart. "Oh my dear boy, how?" the old man's voice starts to break, a maddening cackle escaping his lips, "BY ACCEPTING THE VERY THING THESE FOOLS WISHED TO DESTROY!" "MISUNDERSTOOD!" "FOOLISH WHELPS!" his voice breaking into multiple layering upon one another. A sigh escapes the Old General as he rests a hand upon the greatsword he has wielded for so long. For the very people in this room, that he slaughtered, the madness of it. "But we like you.. a loose end now, but you could be our agent." "Agreed." "Join us." "Ah the mortal seeks to live longer.." "Accepppt..." The barely a man raises a hand pulsing with a sickly purple glow, "Accept our gift, free yourself?" my mind begins to scream, voices more all vying for my attention. Trying to pull my mind away from the sick twisted being in front of me.

Unable to control my body, it shakily raises a hand. "Why are you here?" a voice asks over my shoulder.. "Why dwell on the past.. the mistakes that you made?".. My true voice escapes my lips, "To not forget who I once was.." the voice behind lets a sigh of remorse, sadness filling the air as everything around us slows to a stop. "I am sorry, so very sorry, after so long, with you being free from it all, I have to be the one to bring you back to the (_)&!~*(#@_." I feel disappoint from the voice, "Not ready... But you will be, always was the strong one, always was.." "Help us.. They are back.. They are attempting IT again once more..." "Climb to the top..." the voice peters out losing its power. The air stills, voices, echoes start to cascade around me as the Throne room that I stand in begins to break down walls crumbling, bodies being destroyed from falling stones. The floor begins to collapse as I am stuck in place, a white hand appears out of the corner of my vision gently touching me on the shoulder. "Wake up Nihr..." "Ignore it and Climb..." "CLIMB!" the abomination across from me slowly begins to move its face warping into terror, and anger. The sickly purplish glow and hues criss-crossing his face splitting open to a show teeth and grotesque forms. "YOU WILL NOT LEAAVE!"... it spits at me pushing closer to me, its tendrils of flesh ripping free from its form as it pulls itself closer.. "CLIMB!" the voice behind me shouts again as I feel a hard pull on the core of my being as a tendril snakes out at the last second striking me across the face.

~~~Waking up to the Forest~~~

My body shakes awake, my eyes wild, before my brain catches up with what just happened. "What in the hell.." my body is soaked in sweat. But I feel something drip down my cheek, bringing a hand up to my cheek it comes away with blood. A small stinging sensation goes from the edge of my cheek near my ear to my nose. A thin line of blood dripping down my face. A whisper.. "Climb..." echoes in my ears as my eyes sharpen. 'That was the plan.' determination goes through my body, as i peel myself from my branch quickly descending the tree to the forest floor.

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