I checked my inventory, relieved to see the potions safely stored. Despite the pain in my chest, I reveled in my success at taking the potions without incident. The pain was intense but manageable, though the potions did nothing to alleviate it. I pondered what could be done about this and decided to head to the second floor, just in case they were following me, hoping she hadn't survived.
"Warp!" I yelled. A bright red light enveloped me, and I successfully teleported to the second floor.
CRACK
As I arrived, I quickly removed my mask and equipped my other armor set, just in case they were there. I found myself in the center of a giant city, a vast plaza that stretched for miles, resembling multiple football fields put together. The area buzzed with activity. Players in armor similar to mine, leather, and even iron armor, each looked resolute in their missions.
Standing in the central plaza, I observed the distinct quadrants of the city. To the north, the White Quadrant gleamed with wind-powered structures and airborne transportation. To the south, the Green Quadrant's terraced landscapes and green roofs embodied stability and environmental harmony. To the east, the Blue Quadrant shimmered with flowing water features and frost-enchanted gear. To the west, the Red Quadrant blazed with flame-fueled sculptures.
In the center, light and dark magic coexisted, their energies clashing as white and black swirls vied for the attention of adventurers.
I heard NPCs shouting, offering potions and other items.
"Armor, skills, and all you need!" an NPC yelled, catching my attention. I walked over to the middle-aged elven merchant and quickly spoke to him.
"Where do I need to go to teleport to the next floor?" I asked.
He replied swiftly, "Each of the quadrants has a teleport rune, except the center. It's whichever you fancy."
"What are you selling?" I continued.
"I'm selling anti-paralysis potions," he said before adding, "and also some high-quality elven gear for a reasonable price."
I thought over everything, knowing that I most likely couldn't afford the gear and the potions would be unnecessary this early on since the first nine bosses couldn't use magic.
My mind flashed back to the fight with Seraphina. She was paralyzed; I'm sure that potion would have helped her.
I wonder, I wonder if…
—-------------------------------------------------
I looked up at the merchant, who seemed to freeze in place. A cold, stagnant feeling washed over me, a sensation I had only experienced once before when the game master had revealed himself.
A massive figure appeared in the sky, encircled by a cascade of green pixels. He wore a red overcoat that billowed like a cape, and his face was shrouded in darkness. Only his glowing white eyes were visible, piercing through the shadow.
"I have become aware of players and guilds abusing bugs that were present in the beta," he said slowly, his voice echoing across the floor.
I looked around at the other players. Some seemed shocked, others amused, but we were all afraid of what he was going to do next.
"We have fixed these bugs and wont roll back items. However, if you are found abusing bugs like duping again..." His voice slowed, a devious white smile appearing on his face. "There will be consequences."
Blink.
—-------------------------------------------
Time began to move once more, and the threat loomed over us. All of us were certain that these were not empty threats and that he would punish us if given the chance.
I quickly thanked the merchant before leaving toward the Red Quadrant. The Red Quadrant was brimming with life. The capital was a place where all races in this tower—elves, humans, high humans, and dwarves—could collaborate. Although this floor is low, it houses some of the best blacksmiths and alchemists. Everyone was adorned in red or vibrant variations of red. I stuck out like a sore thumb, trying not to draw attention to myself.
As I walked through the district, unsure of where to go, I heard an elven NPC call out, "Herbs! Get your herbs! Only 50 bronze!"
I turned to buy some, but before I could, a commotion rattled through the district. There was a heavy marching—no, running—sound heading right toward me. The NPCs instinctively moved to each side of the street.
A girl with the name "LV 2 Alinta" grabbed my arm and started running with me. She was adorned in vibrant white starting gear with subtle gold accents. She had light black hair and dark tanned skin, standing out just like I did.
"Where are we going?" I quickly asked as she pushed people in the crowd away.
She didn't respond. I tried to pull my hand away but she held on tightly.
"We have to get out of here!" she yelled.
"Why?" I asked, not understanding the urgency.
"I might have robbed an NPC, and they totally now think we're in cahoots. Sorry!" she said cutely.
"Why would you do that?!" I yelled as we quickly approached the entrance of the Red District.
We ran for what felt like an eternity, weaving through the bustling streets and dodging the watchful eyes of numerous guards. The shouts and commands of the guards grew fainter as we put more distance between ourselves and the pursuit. The Quadrant seemed to blur into a maze of colors and chaotic sounds as we navigated the labyrinth.
We finally made it back to the entrance of the Red District.We slowed our pace as we blended into the crowd. We ducked into a side street, catching our breath and took a moment to assess our surroundings.
"See ya around, Wan," she said with a sly smile before she yelled, "Warp."
CRACK
How did she know my name? I thought before yelling, "Warp!"
CRACK
I warped back to the first floor. I noticed I had returned to the place I was before and quickly went back to the 63rd's Inn.
I grabbed any of my things that I had left in the inn and canceled my stay early. Before I could leave, the older woman attendant called out to me.
"Someone left this for you," she proclaimed.
==========================
Letter
Written by Unknown
Enchantment: Mana Binding
Rarity: Common
==========================
Binding is an enchantment that means an item can't be removed or opened unless the right mana frequency is put into it, usually belonging to the person who made the item.
I channeled some of my mana into the letter as it glowed a bright white and then tried to open it.
"See you on floor 3."
That's all? I thought. Why bind something like this?
I put the letter into my inventory before leaving the inn, thanking the attendant for all the time I spent there, and warped back to the second floor, this time with my mask equipped to avoid alerting the guards.
I can't believe I have to do this, I thought as I walked through the city. She made me her scapegoat. When I find her, I'm gonna... I quickly ended that thought.
I entered the White Quadrant, which was also brimming with life like the Red Quadrant. However, it didn't seem as organized; all the people seemed more independent. Although I was still sticking out, the NPCs didn't seem to mind my presence. I saw NPCs selling gear with enchantments like Swift Step and spell books like Air Javelin. However, nothing piqued my interest.
"Sneak and speed potions!" an NPC yelled. "All for 1 silver!"
I walked up, placed one silver down on the table, and the NPC's eyes filled with wonder as he passed me one of each potion.
==========================
Low Grade Sneak Potion
Decreases discoverability by 5%
=======================
Low Grade Speed Potion
Increases speed by 5%
========================
I walked and walked, not finding any sign of a teleport rune. Eventually, I found one. NPCs and players alike were waiting outside a guard's post, waiting for the guard to finish with the people in front of them. Many were impatient, asking the guard to hurry up and saying it shouldn't take this long. The line wrapped around a few blocks, so I decided to go to a nearby inn.
The inn was similar to the one on the first floor. It had a white color scheme and many more rooms—five floors of rooms, which seemed full. The dining area was spacious, with sturdy marble tables and chairs, all polished. Soft, golden lighting cast a glow over the room. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of freshly cooked meals, and the dining area buzzed with activity as Players and NPCs mingled, chatting animatedly while enjoying their food.
After speaking with the attendant and getting a room, I took a nap. This room was almost exactly like the one on the first floor but slightly smaller and missing a desk, with only a chair in its place.
I tried to sleep but was unable to because of the pain in my chest. It was as if the bullet still lodged in my chest began to pump violently with each beat. I did fall asleep eventually, and a few hours later, I woke up to see if the guard was still there.
When I woke up, I was surprised to find that the pain in my chest had disappeared. I felt a wave of relief. I layed there for a moment, trying to make sense of the sudden change.
Once I felt ready, I got up and made my way back to the guard, who was still at his post. The earlier worry had eased, and I felt more prepared to tackle whatever lay ahead.
"I need to get to the next floor," I said.
"Alright, that'll be 1 gold," he said. "Or if you want, you can put your hand on the crystal ball," he smiled.
I complied, placing my hand on the crystal ball, feeling energy leave my body and enter the ball. It felt like a gentle, warm current flowing from my hand, a tingling sensation that spread up my arm.
===========
Level: 2
Health: 120
Strength: 2
Speed: 2
Perception: 3
Luck: 3
Mastery: 1
===========
Mastery leveled up? I didn't even notice when that happened.
"System, what's Mastery?" I wondered after waiting for a while. I got no response.
He looked at my results and seemed to smile.
"Honored guild member. Welcome," he said before continuing, "For you, it'll be 5 silver and one apple."
"One apple?"
"Yes, would you like the quest? Otherwise, it'll be one gold."
"Fine," I sighed, forking over 5 silver. "I'll get you an apple from the third floor."
"Of course," he smiled as he opened the door for me.
============================
Quest
Get an apple for Wind District guard
Reward: Unknown
============================
The teleport rune was a giant circle the size of a yard on the ground. A white and blue glow emanated from it, along with symbols and letters that seemed to spell out "Runic Teleport." Other players were waiting there for various reasons—meeting friends, traveling to different floors, or simply exploring.
==========================
Where would you like to teleport?
Floor 1, 2, or 3
==========================
"Teleport, floor 3," I said out loud. Other players began to look at me as bright red pixelated lights enveloped my body.
Just before I fully teleported, I saw someone enter the teleport room. It was Alinta. She smiled slyly at me with a devilish grin.
CRACK