As Arthur continued his journey through the Tower of Babel, he was suddenly enveloped in a bright light. When he opened his eyes again, he was astonished to find himself in a beautiful sunlit forest. The sun shone through the branches of majestic trees, casting golden patterns on the leaf-strewn ground.
This sudden appearance puzzled him, as he had expected to continue his ascent in the tower. Nevertheless, he found himself in a stunning forest. He wondered if this place presented a new challenge or perhaps an unexpected stage in his journey.
Then, a sound message resonated in his ears. A synthetic voice spoke directly into his mind: "Welcome to the first floor of the Tower of Babel. Your goal is to kill as many living beings as possible within 24 hours. The rewards you receive will be proportional to your achievements."
The text then appeared before him, projected like a hologram into the air. Arthur was taken aback by the macabre task before him. Killing living beings was not in his nature, and he couldn't imagine himself intentionally harming other creatures.
Despite his discomfort, he realized he was trapped in this challenge and had to find a solution. He decided to start by exploring the forest to better understand this trial and perhaps find an alternative.
As he cautiously moved between the trees, he noticed flying insects fluttering around him. Recalling the message's directive, he hesitated for a moment before making a decision. Ultimately, he understood that he had no choice but to comply with this trial to progress in the tower.
He resorted to clapping his hands to crush the insects flying around him.
However, Arthur wasn't sure if killing insects would reward him, so he ventured deeper into the forest.
"From what I heard on TV and the internet, the strongest creatures on floor 1 are wolves. I have to be careful not to get attacked from behind."
Arthur continued to make his way through the dense forest, still seeking the best route to continue his ascent in the Tower of Babel. The majestic trees stood like guardians of this enigmatic world, their foliage allowing small rays of sunlight to pass through.
Suddenly, a low and menacing growl pierced the forest's calm. Arthur stopped abruptly, alerted by the sound echoing in the air. He turned slowly, scanning the surroundings to find the source of the rumbling.
There, emerging from the shadows between the trees, he spotted a majestic wolf, its eyes burning with a wild and untamed light. Its fur was thick and silvery-grey, spotted with black, giving it the appearance of an ancient creature straight out of legends.
Arthur's heart raced, knowing he was facing a formidable adversary. However, he was determined to protect his life and defend his progress in the tower. He mentally prepared himself to face this powerful creature.
The wolf took a step forward, its snout curling to reveal its sharp fangs. The beast's eyes were fixed on Arthur, assessing his strength and determination. A palpable tension filled the air as the two opponents sized each other up.
Without further ado, the wolf lunged at Arthur with lightning speed. The young man displayed quick and agile reactions, skillfully dodging the predator's attacks while searching for an opening to counter.
He had no choice; he had to defend himself. Using his sword, Arthur moved agilely from one body to another, trying to destabilize the wolf and find a weakness in its defense.
The battle continued with unmatched ferocity. The wolf was an experienced fighter, using its claws and fangs with deadly precision. On Arthur's side, he showed cunning and ingenuity, utilizing the abilities of each body he possessed to counter the wolf's attacks.
Time seemed to stretch, and every moment was a fierce struggle for survival. The bodies of the animals Arthur possessed were put to the test, and he felt fatigue settling in his limbs.
But he couldn't give up. He remembered the words of those who had called him a failure, reminding him that he had to draw on his determination and mental resilience to succeed in this tower.
Driven by this conviction, Arthur tapped into his last reserves of energy. In a desperate final effort, he slipped behind the wolf, finding an opportunity he had been waiting for since the beginning of the battle.
With a quick thrust, he pierced the wolf's body with his sword.
Taking advantage of this unexpected advantage, Arthur continued to drive his sword into the wolf's body as long as he could.
The wolf, weakened by its wounds, could only endure Arthur's assault. Finally, the battle came to an end when the wolf was defeated, falling heavily to the ground.
Arthur, breathless but victorious, stood before the wolf's lifeless body. He had overcome this trial, not by succumbing to violence, but by using his courage to win the fight.
He felt a mix of emotions as he looked at the creature he had defeated. This victory had come at a cost; his arms were slightly bleeding, and his clothes were almost entirely shredded. However, he had also learned an important lesson: power did not solely reside in brute strength but in the ability to use one's capabilities wisely and discerningly.
Arthur took a moment to catch his breath, but he was interrupted by a loud noise.
A holographic window appeared in front of him, stating: "Do you wish to transfer your soul into this body?"
Arthur stared at the window with perplexity. He realized that his powers offered him the opportunity to transfer his soul into the body of the wolf he had just defeated. It was a strange and unexpected opportunity, but Arthur knew that this decision would have significant consequences.
He remembered the warnings he had received from his adoptive parents about the many dangers of the tower's trials.
Transferring his soul into the body of a wild and primitive creature like a wolf could alter his own identity and make him lose his humanity. He did not want to risk becoming a mindless beast without consciousness and reason.
With a mixture of caution and wisdom, Arthur firmly replied, "No." He would not succumb to this temptation, choosing instead to remain true to himself and retain control over his own identity.
The holographic window disappeared, and he felt relieved to have made this decision. He was aware that the tower could hold many surprises, but he would not let its trials push him to abandon his humanity.
After a moment of reflection, Arthur resumed his journey through the forest, aware that new challenges awaited him.