I was only out for a few moments before I woke. The extreme amount of hp I had recovered quickly returning me to a healthy state. However, I was in shock at what I saw around me.
A large metal door appeared on the cave wall. The doors opened as I observed it, from inside I could observe a set of stairs that les even further down. The stairs looked like a scene from a castle, shadows danced along the walls that curved downwards as the torch flickered.
In front of me I could see a total of 4 different girls. All of them looking at me with a set of concerned eyes. When they noticed I had woken I was bombarded with a series of questions. But what was worse was the haunting gaze that Hylia gave me. It was apparent that she was already aware of the lewd actions that had taken place. Fortunately, I could feel from the bond that she was not mad, however she was extremely jealous.
Hylia was extremely territorial, but luckily our actions had been of necessity. I found it strange, but she stood rather close to Bailey, and from the small changes I could see on their faces I could tell they were having a mental conversation.
With those two occupied to majority of the question came from Leisha and Sierra. Mostly Sierra.
"How did we get here?"
"Where are we?"
"Who is she?"
"Why are you mostly naked?"
The last one was the only question that had been asked by Leisha, and I could feel that her eyes were glued to my body. Unfortunately, I was not the only one who had noticed. I quickly heard a sharp smack as five small fingerprints appeared on the side of her face.
My body was quickly covered by Hylia, as she glared at Leisha rather viciously. To my surprise I found that Bailey was by her side and seemed to be listening to Hylia's commands. The situation was rather odd, but as long as they got along it was good enough for me.
Soon after Sierra had joined the other two as well. Except the aura she gave off was one of absolute fury. The scene soon escalated, and Leisha was drug off by her ear. The culprit being none other than Sierra.
With the situation dealt with Hylia turned around and stared at me. Her voice was low, but a deadly chill could be felt from it.
"I do not care what the situation was, allowing another woman to touch your body is a complete insult to me. It will not happen again."
She pushed forward Bailey who was standing there with her head lowered.
"As for her, as she has already desecrated your body, we must take her as a mistress. You are the Goddess of War's Mistress and MY wife. It is disgraceful for anyone but me to touch be touched by you. You will not touch her. You will not pleasure her. For all intents and purposes, she is my property and do as I say."
The look on Hylia's face became one of pure evil as she picked me up by my neck, looking me dead in the eyes as she slowly suffocated me. Adding more and more pressure.
"Do I make myself Clear"
I did not have the oxygen to speak. I could only nod. She continued to stare into my eyes for a few moments, her grip getting even tighter.
Suddenly she let go, and she gave me one of her signature toothy grins.
"Good! now that that is settled, do you mind telling me where we are and how we got here?"
Suddenly Bailey spoke up, in a voice that was soft and seemed rather weak but could still be heard.
"I have heard of this place before. The appearance is always random. And can only be initiated by less than a full party. When the person, or people in this case, clear the second boss the rest of the party will be summoned. It is a B ranked instance and is not like any other instance. It had no end and will continue until the party cannot possibly continue further."
"This place has killed more parties than any other instance. More people have died here than died in the entire city of Slagstone."
"This place is called The Inverted Tower, and no more than 100 parties have managed to make it to the 5th floor. Only 5 have made it to the 10th floor. Only a single party has managed to make it to the 15th floor. Everyone else has died when they entered here."
"Those who have managed to survive have all received amazing rewards. The ones who made it to the fifth floor got unique ranked rewards. Those who made it to the 10th floor got legendary rewards. And the single party that made it to the 15th floor got a unique legendary reward."
"They say that this place is a trial. And in a way it is true. Those who manage to survive have a great future, and their party is officially recognized by the Dungeon and the guild."
I whistled as I listened to her words. The boss of the second floor had already been incredibly difficult. Who knew how much harder the 3rd and fourth floors would be?
"Do we have a choice? Can we just leave?"
Bailey shook her head.
"Unfortunately, no, and from everything I have heard the instance only let us people out after clearing floors that end in 5. But just because you clear one of them doesn���t mean you will get a chance to exit."
I nodded. Of course not. that would make things far too easy. If it were that easy there would not be nearly as many deaths as there has been.
When she began to speak again, I knew that I would not like what I was about to hear.
"I just remembered. No one who was below B rank has ever survived the tower."