As his eyes traversed to the fourth layer, Zed's breath caught in his throat.
Titans—monolithic beings with skeletal structures—loomed before him.
Though mere illustrations on the bell's surface, they exuded an ancient aura that made Zed's heart pound in his chest. He stole a brief glance at their towering forms, realizing that not all were humanoid in shape. However, their sheer size and overwhelming presence pressed down upon him, causing an oppressive weight on his chest that left him gasping for air. Overwhelmed, he instinctively turned his gaze away, unable to withstand their daunting visage any longer.
The fifth level was a book.
An extraordinary sight—a massive book floating in the air, its pages constantly changing, filling up with words, and then flipping over to reveal new ones. It seemed to have no end, a never-ending cycle of knowledge.
"A book?" Zed questioned, his curiosity piqued.
As he approached, he noticed that the book held a myriad of peculiar and intriguing knowledge between its lines. There were topics like "Postnatal Care for Wild Boars in the Void Plane" and thought-provoking sentences such as "The river reverses its flow after thirty years, do not bully the youths just because they are poor!" Each word Zed read resonated deeply within him, seems offering insights and wisdom.
Reader turned reader, Zed found himself captivated by the vast sea of knowledge.
However, after countless pages that blurred together, a chilling sentence emerged, causing Zed did not willing to read anymore.
"As you delve into knowledge, knowledge delves into you. So, close your eyes, little vampire..."
"WTF, it's creepy..." Zed's smile froze, transforming into an expression of unease. He looked around, searching for any sign of danger, unsure of where to fix his gaze.
"The bell might be strange, indeed... but at least today wasn't in vain..."
Taking a deep breath, Zed pondered the multitude of knowledge he had absorbed moments ago. Then, he lifted his gaze upward.
The higher he look, the harder he could control himself to stop.
In the sixth level, there were several faceless statues of Buddha.
These statues sat solemnly on their cushions, their faces covered in a natural mist that obscured any features. Somehow, without seeing any face, Zed could sense their emotions.
Some of the statues emitted a joyous aura, as if they had known nothing but laughter since the moment they were born. Their mirth resonated through the air, infectious and vibrant. Telling everyone should only laugh. Others, however, exuded a profound sorrow, their tears invisible but palpable, as if there was nothing left in the world worth cherishing. And then there were those who wore indifferent, striking their muyu with a rhythmic sound.
It was weird to feel the emotions of these faceless beings without being able to see their faces. It gave Zed the urge to join them. But as Zed approached closer, the faceless Buddha who emanated happiness suddenly waved his sleeve and cursed:
"A lowly mythical creature. Who let you come up here? eh? No one teach you well!"
With those words, Zed suddenly sinked into an abyss, his head lowered. Zed heard a series of ancient voices in his ears.
[level-1 passes]
[Acquired spore: Kindred Embrace - A2]
[Time taken to create spore: 37 seconds]
[level-2 passes]
[Acquired spore: Envy of the Insect King - B1]
[Time taken to create spore: 2 minutes and 15 seconds]
[level-3 passes]
[Acquired spore: Sword Spirit's Friendship - B1]
[Time taken to create spore: 55 seconds]
[level-4 passes]
[Acquired spore: Giant's Indifference - A2]
[Time taken to create spore: 5 minutes and 27 seconds]
[level-5 passes]
[Acquired spore: Fireworks Under the Gaze of Knowledge - B2]
[Time taken to create spore: 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 9 seconds]
[level-6 failed]
...
[A merchant has sent a trade request in your realm!]
[A merchant has sent a trade request in your realm!]
[A merchant has sent a trade request in your realm!]
...
******
On the walls of Newford, two soldiers sat, their breath turning into mist in the cold night air.
"Hey, when is that bell thing coming over? Damn, It take years...We've finished training last week? last month?".
One of the younger soldiers asked casually as he sat down without any protective gear. It was evident that someone with a fear of heights couldn't carry out sentry duty on the city walls.
"Last week is last month, kid."
The guard beside him adjusted his helmet and shook his head in response, "No one knows. With all these new rules, they might have canceled it altogether..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a distant stroke sound shattered the silence.
*Dong*
To the ears of these awakened individuals, the toll of that ancient bell reverberated like a thunderclap, rattling their very souls. Yet, amidst the shattering intensity, their senses sharpened, their vigilance heightened. It was as if the toll acted like a buff that dispelled their drowsiness.
"Quick! Remind me, what does one toll signify?" the young guard asked eagerly, his eyes filled with anticipation.
The older guard furrowed his brow but started to scan the surroundings with caution,"One toll, or maybe two... if memory serves me right, it signifies a small-scale B-level mishap occurring within the city."
"Ah... just a B-level?"
"Just B?! What are you looking for? If it keep tolling, that means the city would be in ruins!"
The older guard stood up and raised his telescope, surveying the area.
"Strange... the sound doesn't seem to be emanating from within the wall."
Before they could delve deeper into their contemplation, a tidal wave of sound crashed over them, threatening to consume their shattered souls. The reverberations surged through their beings, threatening to drown out their thoughts and leave them adrift in a sea of silence.
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
The young guard's legs turned to jelly, barely supporting him as he stood frozen in the face of the overwhelming resonance. Fear gripped him, its icy fingers constricting his heart.
"Gurgling..."
The sound escaped the young guard's lips, a mere whisper amidst the symphony of tolls.
Consecutive bell tolls nearly scared him off the city wall.
"Wh-What did you just say about keep tolling...?" he stammered.