Letter Under The Door

"The lady at reception? What the fuck are you doing here?"

Just when he thought he was going to die less than a second ago, someone he hardly knew had just saved his life.

"You could be a bit nicer than that. I just saved you from certain death."

"You saved me? Thanks a lot, but be careful, that plant is super strong!"

"Oh, you mean that plant?"

As she shifted so that Sora could see behind her, he noticed that the plant was already gone and that a large, almost flooded area had taken its place.

"Wait, you've already killed it?"

"Of course, just because I told you I wasn't capable of climbing many flights of stairs doesn't mean I'm totally incompetent either."

"How I can't wait to climb to the top floors!"

"You want to climb the top floors of the Tower? But why?"

"I nearly died against that poor plant, while you killed it in just two seconds and you're telling me you're incapable of climbing the positive floors. So I want to know how powerful the inhabitants of the upper floors are. And above all, I want to discover the secrets of this Tower."

"You're going to be disappointed, believe me. If you can't even kill that plant, don't expect to be able to change floors: the test on this floor is the easiest in the Tower, but you really don't have the level to pass it."

"That's what I'm training for."

"Anyway, back to the Order, you've got to write your report so maybe you can get your reward."

"By the way, why did you come all the way here?"

"When Nerris told me about the mission she'd sent you on, I came straight here because I knew you were going to die. And it's a good thing I did, because if I'd arrived a few seconds later, I'd have found you cut in half."

"It was kind of you to think of me, because you really saved my life. But who's Nerris?"

"Oh, I see she hasn't introduced herself... She's the hostess who gave you this mission."

"Once you say it, it's actually logical, but then why did you come when you found out about the mission she'd given me?"

"Because the rank of the mission has changed. Last night it was Obsidian rank, but this morning its rank was changed because the plant was so dangerous."

"What's its new rank now?"

"Iron."

"What?’ People with Iron rank are already as strong as that?"

"I keep telling you, but we're really weak to be on this floor. We're just a little stronger than you."

"Nah, there's a world of difference between your level and mine, I'd never catch you."

"Oh believe me, it's a lot easier than you think. With your sword alone, you should be able to catch me in no time."

"Wait a second... Shit! I forgot my sword !!! Go back to the Order, I'll find my own way back !!!"

...

"That's it, you're finally back?"

"Ahah yes, it's good, one of the villagers found my sword floating in the water that you'd left behind."

"You're really lucky you found someone nice, because if he'd known anything about artefacts, he'd never have given you your sword back and would have sold it at a price high enough to allow him to live without working for several months."

"Does it cost that much?"

"Obviously, since it's a weapon with extra properties."

"I understand. Do I have to write my report?"

"Yes yes, you do."

Sora sighed as he made his way to the Order's reception desk, where Emma was waiting for him with his report in her hand. He'd never been very good at writing reports and the idea of having to write up how he'd failed against a simple plant didn't make him very happy. He glanced at Emma, who gave him an encouraging smile.

"Come on, it's not that bad. Just write down what happened and don't forget to mention that the mission has been upgraded to Iron."

"Yeah, I know, I know," Sora replied, grabbing a pen. "But it's a bit of a shame, don't you think? I nearly got killed by a plant, seriously..."

She shrugged, amused. "Everyone starts somewhere. Even the best fighters in the Tower once almost died against a weak opponent."

Sora didn't reply and began to write. As he slowly went through his report, he couldn't help thinking back to Emma's power when she saved him. It had seemed unattainable, yet she had assured him that with a little practice he could catch up.

An idea sprang to mind. He sat up suddenly, abandoning his half-filled report. "Do you think I could train with you?" he asked, turning to the hostess.

She looked at him, her eyes slightly crinkled, not at all expecting this answer. "Train with me? Hmm... I don't know if you're ready to endure such training."

"I'm ready for anything," Sora asserted with determination. "I want to become strong enough to climb the floors, and I have to start somewhere."

She sighed, then nodded slowly. "Very well, then. But I'm warning you, I'm not going to go easy on you. If you really want to get stronger, you'll have to face far more dangerous situations than this mission. Be at training tomorrow at dawn. If you're not there on time, I'll assume you don't have the willpower to continue."

Sora felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension come over him. He gave her a big smile of thanks before returning to his report. For the first time since he began his journey in the Tower, he felt that he could finally start to improve. He was going to prove that he belonged here, no matter how many failures he had to endure to get stronger.

"Speaking of my reward? Am I still going to get it?"

Emma fixed him with an understanding look. "Unfortunately, we can't offer you the reward, given that you weren't able to beat the plant on your own. But if you have a problem with money for accommodation, we can offer you a free night in the rooms upstairs. It's the least we can do to compensate you for having given you a mission too complicated for your rank."

With a bright look in his eyes and a big smile on his face, Sora replied cheerfully. "I didn't expect so much, but I accept with great pleasure."

"As you've completed your report, you're free to do what you like." Emma grinned.

"I've had enough fighting for one day. I think I'll go and get some rest."

"Very well, in that case, I'll let Nerris show you to your room." She turned towards Nerris, who was standing a few metres away, and motioned for him to show her around.

...

Once they reached the landing of the bedroom, Nerris turned to Sora with a guilty expression. "I'm really sorry I gave you such a complicated assignment."

"Oh no, don't worry about it, it's not your fault that the rank of the mission changed during the morning. Besides, I'm not hurt, so you don't have to worry about a thing," he reassured her.

"No, really, it's unforgivable. I should have done my job better and double-checked the mission rank before sending you out there. If Emma hadn't arrived in time, who knows what might have happened to you."

"It's true, if she'd arrived a few minutes later, I'd probably be dead. But since she beat the plant in time, you don't need to worry about that." As he walked back to his room, Sora looked at Nerris with a big smile, wished him a good evening and closed the door behind him.

Sora collapsed onto the bed, his body still numb from the fatigue and adrenaline of the day. He stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened. The danger of the plant, Emma's intervention, the revelation about the change in mission rank... All of this gave him a glimpse of the unpredictability and cruelty of the world of ARK.

"I've got to get stronger, that's obvious," he said aloud to himself. He thought about his promise to train with Emma the next day. The idea of intensive training frightened him, but he knew that this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

...

A few hours after lying down on his bed and dozing off, he was woken by a light scratching at the door. Intrigued, he got up and opened the door to discover a note slipped under the threshold.

‘Sora, if you really want to get stronger, there's something I need to show you. Meet me on the roof of the Order at midnight.’

The message was unsigned, but the handwriting looked vaguely familiar. He frowned, wondering who could have sent it. A trap? A prank? Or perhaps another unexpected opportunity? He glanced at the wall clock; it was already close to midnight. Sora hesitated, but curiosity won out.

He put on his equipment, checked that his sword was properly strapped to his back, then discreetly left the room. The Order's corridors were silent, plunged into darkness, lit only by a few lanterns. He climbed the steps leading to the roof, his muscles tense, expecting anything.

When he reached the top, he was surprised to see Nerris standing there in the moonlight, waiting for him. She seemed more serious than usual, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if she were looking for something in the distance.

"Nerris? Did you send me that message?" asked Sora as he approached.

She turned to him and nodded. "Yes. There's something you need to see, something the Order prefers to keep from newcomers."

Sora felt a shiver run down his spine. "What are you talking about?"

Nerris walked to the edge of the roof and beckoned him to follow her. "Look over there, in the distance," she said, pointing to a vast dark forest that stretched as far as the eye could see behind the Order's enclosure. "That forest is off-limits to low-ranking adventurers. It is home to some of the most powerful creatures on this floor."

Sora squinted, trying to make out what she was trying to show him. "Why are you showing me this?"

"Because I believe in your potential, Sora. If you really want to progress quickly and become strong enough to climb the floors, you'll have to get out of your comfort zone, even if it means breaking the rules. And the truth is, some ‘reserved’ missions aren't displayed to Order recruits. They're too dangerous for beginners, but that's exactly what you need to push yourself."

"You want me to go there? Alone?" he asked, incredulity mingling with burgeoning excitement.

Nerris shook his head. "Not alone. I'll go with you. There's an unofficial mission I've discovered, and it could allow you to gain combat experience and become stronger than you are now."

Sora felt his heart beat faster. He knew this could be a risky, even suicidal opportunity, but it was also a chance to make a real leap forward in his quest to climb the floors.

"So, what do you think?" asked Nerris, a slight smile on his face. "Are you ready to think outside the box?"

Sora took a few seconds to think about his answer. On the one hand, he was dying to take on more powerful opponents, but on the other, he knew he didn't have the level - he'd barely mastered his new skill and weapon, and against a simple Lapenard, he knew he had little chance of defeating him - perhaps a little better now, thanks to his skill, weapon and slight improvements.

But the place where Nerris wanted to take him was even more dangerous than what he had experienced so far. If he went there, he would run a serious risk of coming face to face with creatures who would make mincemeat of his poor body.

So it was with resignation and a great deal of regret that he announced his answer to Nerris. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to come with you. I'd love to, but I'm still too weak. I nearly died against the weakest animal on this floor, so against creatures more powerful than this one, I'm not giving up. I'm already planning to train with Emma to improve my skills, and then, once I've become strong enough, I'll agree to come with you."

With no great surprise in his eyes, Nerris replied gently. "I was kind of expecting that answer. But I really think you're talented. Your sacred weapon speaks for itself. Only a handful of people on this floor manage to use a sacred weapon. And those who did didn't stay on this floor for long. So the fact that a Leather rank succeeded shows the undeniable talent you have."

Surprised by so much praise and equally flattered, Sora blushed slightly. "I can only thank you. And I hope you'll agree to let us go together when I'm stronger."

"Of course!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "I hope you won't disappoint me."