Chapter 29: Tower Registration
Von woke up with the sunlight coming through the window, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. Ren also started waking up, shaking off the last bits of sleep and dreams.
The room was filled with the soft sounds of the morning – distant birdsong, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the murmur of the town awakening. The fireplace from the night before had dwindled to a few glowing embers, evidence of the peaceful night they had spent in the inn.
"Morning, Ren," Von said with a grin, already moving to freshen up.
Ren rubbed his eyes and returned the smile, "Good morning, Von. Ready for another day in the Tower?"
Von chuckled, "Absolutely. Let's get ready and head downstairs. I'm curious to see what the owner is cooking for breakfast."
The duo quickly freshened up, splashing their faces with cool water from the basin. As they got dressed, Ren glanced at Von and grinned.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sizzle of breakfast being prepared wafted through the air, creating a homely feel in the inn's common area. Other adventurers were scattered around, sharing stories or quietly planning their day.
As Ren and Von waited, Gertrude, the innkeeper, approached with a warm smile. "Good morning, lads! Sleep well?" she greeted, setting down menus.
Von nodded, "Yes, thank you. Excited to try your breakfast."
Gertrude chuckled, "I hope you find it to your liking. It's essential to start the day right, especially in the Tower."
Ren asked, "Anything in particular you'd recommend?"
Gertrude pondered for a moment before suggesting, "Our Tower Special Omelette is quite popular among awakeners. Packed with hearty ingredients, it'll give you the energy boost you need."
"Sounds perfect," Von agreed.
The inn was alive with chatter and the sounds of people enjoying their meals. Ren and Von noticed that it wasn't just a place to sleep but a space where adventurers came together to talk and share stories.
As they waited for their breakfast, Ren couldn't help but glance around, curious about the other awakeners present. Some were engrossed in animated discussions, while others pored over maps and scrolls, planning their next ascent of the Tower.
Soon, Gertrude returned with plates of steaming omelets and slices of freshly baked bread. The Tower Special Omelette lived up to its reputation, a savory blend of flavors that invigorated their taste buds.
"Whoa, I can't believe the food in the tower could taste this good," Ren exclaimed.
Von nodded, savoring a bite of the hearty breakfast. "It's a pleasant surprise. Maybe there's a touch of magic in the recipes here."
As they enjoyed their meal, the innkeeper, Gertrude, approached their table with a warm smile. "I'm glad you're enjoying the breakfast, dearies. A good meal sets the right tone for the day, especially in the Tower. Anything else you need?"
Ren looked around, taking in the bustling scene of adventurers gearing up for the challenges ahead. "Is there anything we should know before we venture out today?"
Gertrude leaned in, her voice low, "Have you heard about the bulletin board outside the Adventurers' Guild?"
Ren raised an eyebrow, "Bulletin board? What's on it?"
Gertrude winked, "Oh, it's where adventurers post requests, bounties, and sometimes valuable information about the Tower. It's a goldmine for those looking for opportunities or wanting to tackle specific challenges. You might find something interesting there."
Ren and Von exchanged intrigued glances. "Thanks for the tip!" Ren said with a nod.
Ren and Von cleared their plates, savoring the last bites of a hearty breakfast. With contented smiles, they stood up from their cozy table and made their way back to their room. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, filling the space with a gentle warmth.
In their room, they gathered their belongings, ensuring they were well-prepared for whatever the day in the Tower might bring.
"So, what's our plan?" Ren asked.
"Let's first check out our new skills and test them. After that, we can go see the bulletin board. We might pick up some quests before we start climbing the tower," Von suggested.
"By the way, remember the gacha ticket? We've been so busy that we forgot to use it," Ren said.
Von chuckled, "Right, we should see what we can get from it. Maybe it'll come in handy for our journey through the Tower."
Ren nodded, and they retrieved the forgotten gacha ticket from their inventory. With a sense of anticipation, they decided to try their luck and see what items or skills fate had in store for them.
Ren and Von accessed the system and navigated to the section dedicated to the gacha system.
"So, there are four different kinds of gacha tickets? Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum," Ren said.
"Yeah, we were lucky to get the gold one," Von replied.
"I'll go first," Ren said.
Ren and Von filled with anticipation, selected the Gold Gacha option. The screen shimmered, and a virtual wheel of possibilities appeared before them. With a tap, they set the wheel in motion, watching as it spun through various items and abilities.
As the wheel gradually slowed down, it finally landed on a radiant golden chest icon. The system chimed, and a message popped up: "Congratulations! You've obtained a rare weapon – Ethereal Harmony Blade."
Ren and Von exchanged surprised glances, not expecting to receive such a valuable reward.
"I got my sword!" Ren said
[System]
Name: Ethereal Harmony Blade
Type: Longsword
Description: The sword can attune itself to the elemental or spiritual affinity of the wielder. Whether it's fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, or other spiritual attributes, the blade adjusts to resonate with the affiliated spirit.
"Congrats! That sword suits your skills, especially considering your connection to the spirit," Von said.
"Now, let me try mine," Von said as he excitedly activated his gatcha ticket. The holographic display projected a spinning wheel of colors before landing on a shining gold tier.
[System]
Name: Inferno Ring
Type: Ring
Description: The Inferno Ring, a formidable accessory, radiates an aura of intense heat. Crafted with precision and imbued with the essence of flames, it grants the wearer the power to manipulate and control fire.
"I can't believe this," Von said.
"Why? What's special about this ring?" Ren asked.
"In my dream, this ring belonged to a top Awakener. That guy was one of the strongest, and he only used the flame to conquer the Tower," Von explained, still somewhat in disbelief.
"Really? What happened to him that you got the ring?" Ren asked.
"His affinity with flame was strong, but this ring helped him a lot because its power grows as you level up," Von explained.
"So, the strength of the ring evolves as you progress." Ren mused, envisioning the possibilities that lay ahead.
Von nodded, "Exactly. Man, isn't this exciting?" Von looked so amused.
Ren grinned, "Exciting and unexpected! We'll turn the Tower upside down!"
Once they were ready, Ren and Von descended the stairs, leaving the cozy inn behind. The scent of adventure lingered in the air as they stepped out into the bustling streets of the Town of New Beginning. Their destination was clear – the Adventurers' Guild, where they hoped to find new quests and valuable information.
"By the way, do you have any idea what's going on with the Adventurers Guild, aside from providing quests?" Ren asked as they walked.
"I don't know if the Adventurers Guild here is the same as before, but they keep a record of everyone who climbs the tower. So I guess we need to go and register," Von said.
Ren nodded, "Makes sense. It's probably a good idea to let them know we're active awakeners. Maybe they can provide more information or assistance."
As they approached the Adventurers Guild, they noticed a bustling atmosphere. Adventurers of all kinds were gathered, discussing strategies, sharing information, and some even boasting about their recent accomplishments in the Tower.
The guild's entrance was marked by a large wooden sign, and the interior was adorned with maps, trophies, and a prominently displayed bulletin board. Ren and Von made their way to the reception area, where a friendly-looking receptionist greeted them.
"Hello, welcome to the Adventurers Guild. Are you here to register or looking for quests?" she asked with a warm smile.
Von stepped forward, "We're new to the Tower and would like to register as adventurers."
The receptionist handed them a couple of forms. "Please fill these out with your basic information. Once you're done, I'll get you registered in our system."
Ren and Von quickly filled out the required details. As they handed back the forms, the receptionist entered the information into a magical interface.
"Welcome to the guild! You're officially registered adventurers now. Feel free to check the bulletin board for available quests or ask around for information. Good luck on your journey through the Tower!" she said, handing them each a guild emblem.
"Thank you," Ren replied, pinning the emblem to his cloak.
With their registration complete, Ren and Von turned their attention to the bulletin board. It was covered with various requests, from monster hunting to item retrieval, and even notices about mysterious occurrences on certain floors of the Tower.