Arthur trudged wearily through the dense woods of the 1st floor of the mysterious Tower of Babel. His wounds pained him with each step, but he couldn't stop. "To survive, I have to become stronger," Arthur declared with determination. He was resolved to uncover the truth about his origins and succeed in the trials that lay ahead.
Suddenly, a sinister growl echoed in the darkness of the forest. Arthur turned his head and spotted a pack of wolves surrounding him, their eyes gleaming with ferocity. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't avoid this fight. It was a test of survival, and he had to face it.
"Another trial to overcome..." he thought, his heart pounding in his chest. His bloodied hands tightened around his sword, and his determined eyes fixed on the approaching wolves. "I won't give up now."
The battle was intense and brutal. The wolves attacked as a pack, trying to overwhelm him. Arthur dodged as much as he could, using his sword with precision despite his injuries. "I must hold on, I must survive," he repeated to himself, drawing from his determination.
Each blow struck and each wound inflicted felt like a macabre dance between life and death. "This is a true test of my strength and resilience," he realized, as the minutes stretched into what seemed like an eternity.
As the wolf pack closed in on him, he dug deep within himself, tapping into the strength of his last form. "I must use every resource available to me," he thought, trying to channel his energy.
A burst of power emanated from within him, and his movements became faster and more precise. "I can do this, I can defeat them," he convinced himself, his eyes burning with newfound determination.
Suddenly, he spotted an opening. With a swift movement, he managed to push back several wolves and make his way through the pack. His determination to survive was stronger than ever. "I won't die here," he thought fervently, refusing to yield to exhaustion.
But just as he prepared to deliver a final blow, a flash of white light surrounded him. "What's happening?" he wondered, momentarily disoriented. Then, in an instant, he found himself teleported.
He suddenly stood in the entrance hall of the Tower of Babel. Silence enveloped him, and he could feel the calm and peace of the place. "Have I passed the trial?" he questioned himself, out of breath but filled with hope.
He had successfully completed the 1st floor's challenge by staying for 24 hours, and the tower had rewarded him by teleporting him to the next level. "I am one step closer to the truth," he realized with satisfaction.
Arthur fell to his knees, exhausted and wounded, yet a sense of pride and relief washed over him. "I did it," he thought, proud of his perseverance. He had survived the wolf's ordeal, and it gave him the strength to continue. "I will go all the way," he decided with determination.
As he caught his breath, he promised himself to persevere, to discover the truth about his origins, and to overcome every obstacle on his path. "I won't back down," he thought resolutely. The tower was filled with mysteries and dangers, but Arthur was determined to see it through because it was the only way to find his place in this enigmatic world and to unveil his destiny.
As Arthur's breath slowly steadied, a soft emerald glow appeared before him, taking the form of a luminous hologram. A synthetic voice echoed in the entrance hall, announcing in an impersonal yet solemn manner:
"Congratulations to user Arthur Diamond for successfully completing the 1st-floor challenge. Your perseverance and determination have been rewarded. You have gained 14 status points and 1 skill point."
Arthur's eyes widened with surprise and joy at the announcement of his rewards. The status points were a blessing to him, as they would allow him to strengthen his abilities and become stronger. As for the skill point, he knew it opened a new door to acquire new skills or improve those he already possessed.
He stood up with a satisfied smile, aware that his efforts had paid off. "These rewards will be invaluable to face the challenges ahead," he thought, determined to use these points wisely.
With a slight eagerness, Arthur pressed the "STATUS" button floating before him in the hologram. A new window opened, revealing his updated statistics:
Name: Ethan Bronze (Arthur Diamond)
Age: 24
Strength: 9 (+2)
Body: 10 (+2)
Intelligence: 12 (+2)
Talent: 11 (+2)
Mana: 5 (+2)
Mana Resistance: 4 (+2)
Mental Resistance: 8 (+2)
He thinks for a few minutes and starts adding points to each of his stats.
Satisfaction mingled with pride as he noticed the improvement in his statistics. "I will become stronger and I will use every advantage at my disposal to discover my true identity," he promised.
The skill point floated next to the "SKILLS" button. He carefully selected it, and a new list appeared before him. After considering the options, he decided to allocate the point to his best skill.
Soul Transfer LVL 2: Allows the user to transfer their soul into another body.
Usage Condition: The target body must have been dead for a maximum of 60 minutes.
Usage Cooldown: Once every 24 hours.
Arthur was content with his choice, convinced that this skill would prove very useful in the future.
As he prepared to move forward, another system announcement rang out:
"You have successfully completed the 1st-floor challenge. You are now allowed to access the 2nd floor of the Tower of Babel."
Fatigue and pain enveloped him, his wounds reminding him with every step. An insistent inner voice whispered to turn back, to go home and rest and heal. He wavered between his thirst for truth and his need to recover.
"Am I really in a condition to continue?" he questioned, exhausted.
However, the burning desire to uncover the truth about his origins kept him alert. "I can't give up now. I'm so close to finding answers, and I can't let this chance slip away," he thought, trying to rekindle his determination.
The temptation to improve his stats was strong, but Arthur knew that for now, he had to think about his immediate survival. He made a difficult decision.
"I must go back home. My injuries are too severe to continue. But I will come back, stronger and ready to face the challenges that await me," he promised, his heart heavy.
He turned around, putting an end to his exploration for the time being. The doors of the Tower of Babel closed behind him, marking a pause in his journey.
He returned home and rested for a few days.
As Arthur sat in the living room, surrounded by his parents, the warmth of home enveloped him. Yet, his mind was filled with questions he could no longer ignore.
"Mum, Dad," he began with a hesitant voice, "there's something important I need to ask you."
His parents exchanged worried glances, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Of course, sweetheart, you can tell us anything," his mother replied, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I... I want to know the truth about my origins. Why was I kept away from the Diamond family? And who are my biological parents?" he asked, seeking sincere answers.
His father let out a soft sigh and then spoke, "Arthur, we kept this a secret to protect you. You are indeed a descendant of the
Diamond family, but your birth was kept hidden. Your mother and I thought it was the best way to shield you from potential threats. The Diamond family is powerful, but they also have many enemies."
Arthur slowly absorbed the information. "But why hide this from me? Why not let me take my place in that family?"
His mother spoke up, her voice gentle but firm. "It was a difficult decision to make, my dear. We were afraid that you might be used or manipulated because of your ties to the Diamond family. Your biological parents wanted to protect you and give you a chance to grow up in a safe and loving environment."
A mix of emotions washed over Arthur. On one hand, he understood their desire to protect him, but on the other hand, he felt deprived of a part of himself. "I understand, but now I feel like I have to discover the truth on my own. I need to know who I really am, even if it means facing dangers."
His father nodded, understanding in his eyes. "We support you in your quest for truth, Arthur. Know that we love you and will always be here for you, no matter what you uncover."
His mother added, "And don't forget, even though you are connected to a powerful family, what matters most is the person you choose to become."
Arthur smiled softly, grateful for their unconditional love and support. "Thank you, Mom, Dad. I'll venture into the Tower of Babel again, but this time, I'll be more cautious. I'll uncover the truth about my origins and face my destiny."
"Take care of yourself, my dear," his mother said, embracing him. "And come back to us in one piece."
His father shook his hand firmly. "We'll be looking forward to seeing you again, Arthur. Be careful and take care of yourself."
With their comforting words, Arthur felt his heart fill with courage. He was ready to confront the mysteries of the Tower of Babel, the Diamond family, and his true identity. This time, he knew he wouldn't be alone, for he had the support of his parents and the determination to discover the truth, whatever the cost.