Chapter 20: Greed
Liam and his group arrived at the seventh floor. The floor, unlike the other, was clean and refreshing. An altar was placed at the end of the floor facing the stairs.
The altar held a balls of light that was orbiting an unknown object. The floor itself was like a different place compared to the latter floors but they know that it was still the same tower. It only proved that the Tower of Wish was sacred and mysterious.
It was unknown how the Tower of Wish came upon but the party knew that the end of the dungeon might include the unknown object.
On normal, elite, or nightmare difficulty, the 7th floor's boss was Azalea after she escaped due to the 'invaders'. But unlike the hell difficulty, Azalea didn't only run but also granted them free experience and items.
The true purpose of the Tower of Wish was giving a trial and learning how 'pure' their heart was. Basically, everyone should have passed these trials but even the priestess fell from her grace so how did others restrain these impure desires.
Of course, Tristan and Dorian stayed true to their code as knights and protected the Tower of Wish even if they have to pay a price. Wilfred betrayed the Tower with the fell of Azalea.
Two pure and impure people clashed inside the Tower until a winner emerged. Then the following events happened but Azalea returned from the tower. The once impure priestess showed deep regret and once opened the Tower of Wish hoping for the evil to be vanquished.
Unfortunately, those who entered and explored the tower had a darker impurities deep within their heart so Azalea summoned the others and let them protect the Tower even if they turned into vengeful spirits.
Luckily, Tristan regained his memories and emotions before his end. He never hate Azalea because he was also one of the reason why she fell from grace. Dorian, unfortunately, only gained the memories of his ending and his deep hate towards Azalea. Wilfred regained his emotions and memories but with the price of imprisonment on the fifth floor.
Liam and others observed the altar and saw that a stone was floating in the middle of the balls of light.
Everyone tried to get closer to the altar but an invisible force stopped them from getting closer except Liam.
A bizarre incident happened. The floating stone absorbed all the balls of light that was orbiting and move into Liam.
Liam stretched his hands and grabbed the stone. A notification appeared that he gained a Divine Stone.
The moment the stone exited the altar and flew to Liam, the whole tower trembled.
"I think the tower is collapsing. Let's get out of here."
Liam snapped on his daze and nodded. Everyone descended the stairs in a hurry that they didn't see that someone was looking at them with a dangerous glint on his eyes.
The group never stopped and lowered their guard the whole time they descended.
When they finally reached the forth floor, something happened. Unexpectedly, the missing 'Black Hope' was looking at them like they were a fat sheep.
"Hello, comrades. It's been a while. Congratulations on clearing the boss but, this road is your end."
Everyone stopped and felt that Black Hope was different from before and gave a dangerous aura.
"Who are you?!"
"Who am I? Aren't I your comrade? I am Black Hope."
"Impossible! You have an evil aura around you!"
"Exactly! Who are you?!"
The man laughed maniacally. "I am really Black Hope. Thank you for helping me for my Class Change! Well done! I am particularly happy that I could succeed within 1 try!"
"We don't have much time! Let's charge through!" someone shouted and they all agreed.
They all ran and tried to passed through Black Hope but they were all repelled and pushed back.
Black Hope laughed again at their antics. "It's futile to resist! Embrace the darkness!" Black Hope opened his arms and a black miasma surrounded the whole party.
[You are surrounded by an evil miasma.]
[You have resisted.]
Everyone coughed and kneeled suddenly. They all received notifications. The miasma itself wasn't dangerous but it gave a random status ailment and lower their resistance.
The miasma disappeared and they saw a smiling Black Hope looking at them like a true villain. "Welcome!"
Everyone had the same thought 'someone was controlled'. Velkner suddenly cursed and protected his sister.
"I knew it! You traitor!
Everyone looked at Velkner and Misha's direction and saw Ye Han suddenly appeared near Misha. If Velkner was late for even a second Misha would have died.
She only have 10% remaining life and her regeneration wasn't high from the start.
"Did you think you could kill us with just the two of you?!" Velkner spat at them with his angry eyes focused on Ye Han.
"Who said that we're only two?"
Suddenly a hair raising laugh could be heard echoing throughout the floor. "Kikikiki! Fools! Die! Die! No one could escape this tower!"
A black spirit formed near Black Hope. They all knew that this new enemy was in fact an old enemy. He was Wilfred. They didn't know how but he survived and blocked them from leaving the tower.
Liam gritted his teeth and unsheathed his sword. "Kill them!"
Velkner engaged Ye Han and stuck to him like a gum. He was fighting with his whole concentration on Ye Han. He was seething with anger that he wanted to see the blood of his enemy to quench what he felt.
Zigz also opened fire on Ye Han whenever he tried to use stealth. He could actually show his skills against other players.
Leonel also charged and attacked Black Hope with Liam. They could only try to suppress Black Hope to prevent him from casting any spells.
While, Xavier faced Wilfred with Rain and Olivia as support. They have to finish these opponents before the tower collapsed.
Velkner suddenly hit Ye Han. Ye Han grunted after receiving the attack. Through his focused attack, he developed a new skill called Flash Punch. He was a warrior using only gloves.
Flash Punch was a low consumption rage and low cooldown time so Ye Han became a punching bag with Zigz's support.
Velkner manifested great control and skill throughout their exchange that left everyone speechless whether it was the enemy or ally.
The sleeping lion was awakened. Velkner shouted and hit Ye Han one last time before he turned into bright lights.
"Unbelievable!" Black Hope muttered and received Liam and Leonel's combo. He also disappeared to bright lights.
Wilfred was only a mini boss compared before and only retained his mage class so he was dealt easilt after the bombardment of Xavier, Olivia, and Rain.
Misha buffed everyone with movement speed and they all fled. The tower would collapse at any moment. Of course, Rain didn't forget to pick up the spoils and also Ye Han's.
They didn't know that Ye Han was only afflicted by the status 'Greed' and he was turned into a puppet by Black Hope.
The seed of doubt fully germinated to Ye Han so he was under the effect of the status ailment. He was one those who received a hidden quest when they killed Wilfred.
Because of his shock, he shouted and looked strange. Velkner was close to Ye Han so he knew that Ye Han also received the same quest.
With this clue and his strange movement, Velkner surmised that Ye Han was also Black Hope's accomplice since he was there before everyone else.
Velkner didn't want to accept it but alas, inevitably, Ye Han proved his speculation.
Velkner wasn't happy with the turn of events but still ran with everyone.
Liam patted Velkner, because he, too, felt that it was hard to believe that your teammate will betray you.
They arrived at the first floor and saw a silhouette in a form of white lights formed before them.
[Thank… you, Heroes.]
[Mission Cleared! Got Dorian's Promise!]
[Dorian's Promise (Accessory) (Unique)
Type: Ring
STR +35
VIT +35
DEX +30
Dorin's Will(Active): Summon Dorian to fight for you. Lasts 1minute. (Cooldown: 1D)
[Congratulations to Xavier, Liam, Zigz, Misha, Leonel, Olivia, Rain, and Velkner for completing the Tower of Wish(Hell)! May your good deeds spread throughout the world!]