The numbers stuck on everyone's clothes and the sudden change in the environment and atmosphere made Alexei tense up. He constantly looked around to observe and without him noticing, his entire body entered a battle-ready state.
Next to him, Mikaela observed the youth with contented eyes.
'That's right, be alert twenty-four seven. You should be able to do that much.'
She was glad that her companion did not freeze from the shock upon teleporting here. There was also no sign of suffering from mana disorders after going into direct contact with an enormous amount of magic power from the fairy's spell. Her gaze showed approval since it was not something new Gift holders could do.
Usually, a sudden close contact with magic would cause them to vomit nonstop, then spasm like an epileptic, have blurred vision, and feel extremely feeble after. Alexei not exhibiting any of these signs was only possible since his mental aptitude was strengthened. Clearly, the fights he went through since yesterday were not all for naught. It meant that he would not slow her down much..
But no matter how pleased she was with his progress, she still did not forget to remind him, "Al. Remember. Before you can use that thing at will, you should hide it from sight."
'The Gift?!'
The teenage boy's body flinched and his hand automatically grabbed the pendant hanging around his neck. It was already tucked inside his shirt, but his eyes still wandered around. He became more vigilant as gazes flickered towards him. He did not sigh in relief when the prying eyes moved away from him. His senses told him that those who noticed his Gift had marked him as a competitor that needed to be avoided or eliminated.
'What a troublesome situation.' The observing eyes from others really made him feel uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry." He softly said with embarrassment to Mikaela who simply nodded.
The ones who entered the Tower were actually scattered across a huge circular platform in the middle of the dome. At the center, those cute-looking fairies hovered around as their leader said something in an inaudible voice. The fairies' movements were so eye-catchy thanks to the faint glow in their bodies. The place went silent as everyone focused on the group of floating creatures.
"Tada. Finally done."
Because Alexei did not know that a fairy's mask could change depending on their mood, he really got scared witless when their masks sported an eerily wide grin. He was not the only one who became unsettled. The others also stepped back from fright.
'What the-' From the moment he saw Magician Marlon casting magic, he knew that this world was completely different from Earth.
However, seeing a mask that could change expressions in a heartbeat was not something his heart was prepared for. His mind really went blank for a moment. They were not even looking at him, but his body instinctively reacted.
Dangerous. The fairies were doing something sinister.
Alexei's hunch proved to be spot-on.
Black lights soon appeared on the hands of the little fairies and later connected to form a huge magic circle. The patterns that shone inside the circle were complicated and sophisticated and formed several crisscrossing lines. If not for the faint red lights, the scene would have not become too eerie.
As he felt goosebumps in his body, his boss suddenly spoke beside him. "There are people outside."
'Why is she focusing on the wrong thing?!'
Alexei wryly replied.
"Boss, that's not important right now. The fairies are performing a black spell!"
She acted like she did not hear him. Apparently, the disturbing mana fluctuation created by the fairies failed to capture her interest.
Alexei could only follow Mikaela's gaze and saw humans and members of other races equipped with high-quality armors and weapons. Where did they get those? The boy wondered for a second.
They had gathered beyond the transparent walls surrounding the dome and appeared before anybody could notice. These people did not look like newbies that had just entered the Tower. Their expressions were a mix of arrogance, apathy, and impatience, basically nothing nervous newcomers would wear on their faces.
"Are they veterans?" While alternatingly looking at the central platform and the outside with alert eyes, he asked.
"Did you see them entering at the same time as us?"
"...No."
"Hmm. You got your answer."
"If they are from the higher floors, it should mean challengers can visit lower floors." He muttered. "But why are they here instead of attacking their own floors?"
"Waiting for monsters to be summoned," came the indifferent reply from his boss.
At the mention of monsters, Alexei's body tensed up again. His eyes focused on the magic circle that began to shine brightly at the center. Because of nervousness, he neglected one point which was the fact that all information Mikaela knew about the abyss supposedly came from him. Yet now, she suddenly knew something that not even he knew. Or was that just a blind guess of hers?
Alexei tightened his grip on his daggers because the black lights in front felt more threatening for him.
Since the dome was obviously separated from the outside, like it currently existed in a different dimension, everyone realized that the veterans were there to watch, not to interfere. More appropriately said, outsiders had no way to get in so they were not a threat.
However, the ones about to be summoned were different. So now, everyone worried about those who would come out of that glowing circle.
The wait did not last long. In just a few seconds, the black magic circle vanished and on the center platform, various figures appeared. They initially existed as balls of light that rapidly expanded to form anthropomorphic shapes.
Gasps and expressions of stupefaction then echoed from those outside the circular platform. Meanwhile, those that appeared from the summoning circle stared blankly at the new environment they found themselves in.
"Wh-where am I???"
"Huh? A colloseum? How come? Hey, knight officer, what's going on here? I swear I am inside a carriage a while ago!"
"Young master! Young Master! Where are you???!"
Voices from various people engulfed the air.
"Humans...?" Alexei also widened his eyes. His gaze towards Mikaela was filled with confusion. 'These guys are the ones she called monsters?'
However, she simply nodded. Her attention did not move away from the central area. She seemed to be searching for someone amongst them.
Soon, a tiny voice echoed.
"Hello, everyone. Warm greetings from the fairy race, servants of the Tower."
None of the ones listening below could tell which fairy spoke just now since all were wearing grinning masks.
"Welcome to the First Floor of the Abyssal Tower. I congratulate you all for taking your first step into gaining the most absolute power in the universe."
On the platform, things became chaotic from the screams, cries, and yells. Below it, people like Alexei were silently watching with a hint of alertness in their eyes. Meanwhile, those outside the transparent walls looked on with curious and expectant expressions.
Watching the various reactions of those present in the area, the cute sweet voice continued, "Since time is precious I'll stall you no more from taking the real first step into climbing this Tower. Let the first floor's first special event begin."
"Shall we start it with a fun game?" The fairy joyfully said before savoring the brief silence that ensued.
Nobody was able to react as everyone got enveloped in white lights and teleported to the center.
"Now, please begin." The head fairy once again giggled as she clapped.
The bewildered Alexei instinctively looked at Mikaela. 'Begin what?'
Then, before the woman could return his gaze, a change happened. An abrupt turn of events.
Nobody was able to predict that in just a split-second, half of the participants in the venue would suddenly lose their minds. They began to grab just anything to fight or battle with their hands and teeth. They began killing everyone around them. Many just had their minds blanked out upon seeing red filling their vision.
"Aaaaahhhhh!" That was until a scream rang out from all directions.
In no time, scent of blood and flesh, and cries of both confusion and fear filled the place. Alexei and Mikaela ended up separated as chaos and madness descended upon everyone.
...