In the midst of a desolate landscape, where scorching volcanoes dotted the horizon, Lara gazed at the dark red sky.
"It's a beautiful day... right?"
In contrast to her words, the air was thick with the stench of sulfur, making it hard to breathe. The suffocating heat added to the challenge, making each breath a struggle.
The land surrounding her was a grim sight, littered with the lifeless bodies of lava centipedes. A creature feared for its sharp pointy teeth and hard shell.
Lara closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. A beautiful delicate sword adorned with shimmering gems hung on her waist.
Despite slaying countless monsters, there was no joy in her expression. Instead, a cold and expressionless demeanor masked her face, as if she had become detached from her own emotions.
She opened her gray eyes with a hum and stepped on the corpses with her blood-stained shoes as if they amounted to nothing.
Amidst the darkness, the only source of illumination came from the numerous bright golden square cards floating around her. Their soft glow cast flickering shadows, revealing the aftermath of her battles.
However, instead of gazing at the cards, Lara touched her fingers one by one.
"1...2...7..9?"
"It's been nine years already?"
Time flew by so quickly, and before she knew it, so many years had passed in the blink of an eye.
"It's amazing how time can slip away like that, isn't it?"
She raised her eyes to gaze at the familiar screen shining brightly in the air.
"#The_Soul; Indeed, congratulations on another victory."
Lara's eyes flickered with a mischievous glint, but beneath that mischievousness, there was a chilling coldness. After spending so many years in the Hell's Spire, she had learned to mask her emotions completely.
"Soul~"
"#The_Soul: Ah, I just felt goosebumps."
"Hmm~ Won't you send me some coins? I want to buy an advanced tier skill."
The screen in front of her vanished and another screen flashed in its place.
"#The_Soul: What are thinking? I know you have a lot of coins."
Lara raised her eyes. The coldness within was not hidden anymore.
"So, the Authorities can see the players' status? How convenient."
She ran her fingers along the sword hanging at her waist, which she had purchased from the system store with her hard-earned coins. It's been a while since she started digging into everything about the Hell's Spire.
At first, she just wanted to survive, but soon she realized that mere survival was meaningless.
What's the point of staying alive if there's nothing to achieve, right?
So, she began seeking little thrills by completing certain goals.
Like taking down beasts stronger than her without relying on skills. Or stealing the clothes and belongings of the unfortunate players who dared to sleep in her surroundings.
However, after doing the same thing over and over again, it become pretty boring. So, now her new goal was to step on the Authorities one day.
A giggle escaped her lips. How tragic.. and in the past, she thought they were the ones satisfying their selfish and dark desires.
Now, she could not see any difference between herself and them. Maybe, no matter who it was they all crave something to bring purpose into their lives.
"What should I do once I achieve my goal? Should I leave this place or just destroy it completely? But where will I go..?"
Lara clicked her tongue and opened the status window.
"I am becoming more and more overzealous with each passing day."
Indeed, she didn't think about the fact that she could die anytime in this hellish place. And even after all these years, she still hadn't left the 75th floor.
Lara's gaze wandered over the status window. Once she reached level 30, another panel called 'world chat' appeared below the system shop. It took her a lot of time to figure out how to change the chat language, but luckily she managed to do it after two years.
It was fun to mingle with other players, especially the newcomers present on the lower floors who were easily taken advantage of. After all, The ability to chat privately and trade items with other players was heavenly.
With a smirk, she opened the world chat.
______
World chat;
"#Floor 19: Player I_And_only_I; Guys!! The flying monsters is this floor are too dangerous! I need help urgently!"
"#Floor 23: Player John; Upstairs, why the hell are you shouting in WC' just go become their food."
"#Floor 19: Player Nainia; I am on the same floor do you want help? However, I will charge coins."
"#Floor 34: Player Goood_for_nothing; I am willing to offer 100 coins for one beautiful night. Are you interested NiaNia~"
"#Floor 19: Player Nainia; I am not. Also, I am gonna slap you if I ever see you in the future. Goodbye."
"#Floor 19: Player I_And_only_I; Wait!! I need help!"
"#Floor 44: Player Anyei; Upstairs just go die. No one is free right now. Also, how the hell are you typing in front of the monsters?"
"#Floor 19: Player I_And_only_I; Helppp! I am hiding right now! However, my location is going to get exposed soon because the monsters are too strong!"
"#Floor 75: Player Lara; Hey, I am looking for people who could sell me a good advanced tier skill."
"#Floor 34: Player Goood_for_nothing; Laraaaa!!! You cheater! You took my coins! Gave me back my coins!"
"#Floor 75: Player Lara; Who are you? Do I know you?"
______
The chat was filled with numerous accusing messages. Countless players from the lower floors flooded the chat as soon as they saw the name 'Lara'. They had experienced her deceit firsthand - she would ask for skills and items, but once they fulfilled their end of the deal, she would vanish into thin air.
Innocent players who believed they were being helped by a high-level player fell victim to her schemes. That's why whenever the name Lara appeared in the channel, those who had suffered made sure to warn others. Yet, the reason behind the increasing number of Lara's victims remained a mystery.