Chapter 16: After the Labyrinth

The portal's light faded as Aric emerged from the trial, standing once more on the familiar ground of Floor 3. The harshness of the labyrinth and the Glyph Warden's trial were now behind him, and the serene expanse of the floor stretched out before him, a calm contrast to the chaos he had just endured. He took a deep breath, savoring the moment of peace. His clones stood beside him, their forms as solid and reliable as ever, a reflection of the bond they shared.

"It's over, but the journey isn't," Aric muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. His mind was already turning to the next steps. Despite the peace around him, his heart raced with anticipation. He had conquered the trial, but it had only unlocked more challenges, more opportunities, and more dangers. But first, he had to process the rewards and his newfound power.

System Notification: Cooldown Initiated.

[Cooldown of 5 years initiated due to the completion of the Glyph Labyrinth Trial.]

[Cooldown: 5 years. Progress will be halted until the cooldown period ends. The trial will not be repeatable within this duration.]

Aric's lips curved into a wry smile as he read the notification. "Five years," he said to himself, shaking his head. It was a long time to wait, but it gave him the space to grow. He felt the surge of energy coursing through him, a palpable reminder of the prize he had won: the fragment of runic energy from the Glyph Warden. It was the kind of reward that only Irregulars could truly benefit from, an artifact that could enhance his abilities and cement his status as an anomaly within the Tower.

Turning to his clones, his voice was calm but firm. "Gather up. We need to prepare for the next steps."

The clones nodded, their eyes filled with understanding. They had fought by his side, and they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. But for now, it was time to evolve.

Aric opened his status window. His eyes scanned the numbers, the familiar interface flashing before him.

Aric Valen's Status Window:

Level: 20

Exp to Next Level: 0/5000

Total Exp: 250,000

Nexus Energy: 150

Titles: Master of Glyphs

Skills: Infinite Creation, Ethereal Rift, Mana Tempest, Divine Smite, Arrow Rain, Shield Wall, and more...

The numbers began to shift as Aric mentally focused on leveling up. His experience points were substantial, but the Tower's progression system had evolved. Each level now required more experience than before. Level 20 to 21 required 5,000 experience. The levels after that would demand even more.

System Notification: Level Up!

[Level 21 Acquired.]

[Exp to Next Level: 5,000/10,000]

[New Ability Unlocked: Glyph Infusion (Level 1)]

The familiar surge of energy washed over him. Aric felt lighter, more attuned to the Nexus. His abilities shifted and grew with the level-up, and he unlocked Glyph Infusion, a skill that allowed him to merge his runic power with his other abilities, creating synergistic effects that would amplify his combat potential.

System Notification: Level Up!

[Level 22 Acquired.]

[Exp to Next Level: 10,000/15,000]

[New Ability Unlocked: Temporal Echo (Level 1)]

The next ability, Temporal Echo, resonated with him immediately. It allowed him to replicate his past actions for a short period, duplicating a moment of his combat or spellcasting. This ability would give him a distinct advantage in battle, allowing for strategies that involved deception and surprise.

System Notification: Level Up!

[Level 23 Acquired.]

[Exp to Next Level: 15,000/20,000]

[New Ability Unlocked: Runic Mastery (Level 1)]

The final ability unlocked at this stage was Runic Mastery, a perfect complement to the fragment of the Glyph Warden's power. This skill allowed Aric to control and manipulate runes with even more precision, enhancing his understanding of glyphs and his ability to apply them in creative ways.

With each level-up, Aric felt his powers growing, but so too did the awareness that there was always more to learn, more to face, more to conquer. But for now, his clones had grown in power with him, and it was time to summon them.

Summoning the Clones

Aric stood tall and closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing on his connection to the Nexus. With a thought, he summoned his clones—twenty-eight in total, each one a reflection of his will, his power, and his ambition. The flash of light was followed by their solid forms materializing around him.

"Clones, we've completed the trial," Aric said, his tone steady but determined. "But the true journey begins now. Let's strategize, regroup, and prepare for what's ahead."

His clones nodded in unison, their readiness palpable. The bond between them was undeniable—they were not just extensions of his power, but companions in this vast, ever-shifting Tower. Each clone had its own strengths, abilities, and personality, and now, with the new abilities unlocked, they were stronger than ever before.

Clone Breakdown:

Clone 1-9: Runic Specialists

These clones had honed their skills in manipulating runes and using glyphs to enhance their combat abilities. They were experts in defense and magical support.

Clone 10: The Strong One

The 10th clone was different. Its creation was a result of Aric's evolution as an Irregular, an entity of immense strength and skill. With a body forged in runic energy and combat mastery, this clone was a living weapon. It possessed abilities beyond those of the others, with heightened physical and magical power.

Clone 11-19: Combat Masters

These clones specialized in battle tactics, offensive magic, and physical combat. They were Aric's primary support in battles, wielding various skills and abilities that complemented his own.

Clone 20-28: Elemental Sages

These clones had deep control over elemental forces, each representing a different aspect of nature—fire, water, earth, wind, and others. They provided invaluable versatility, able to adapt to different challenges.

With his clones now at full strength, Aric turned to the horizon. The next floor, the next challenge, awaited him. But he was no longer the same Aric who entered the labyrinth. He had ascended, not just in power, but in purpose.

"We're ready," Aric declared, a sense of quiet confidence emanating from him. "Let's move forward."

To Be Continued...