Kale had been unceremoniously thrown out of the party hall by the bodyguards, their faces betraying smug satisfaction. He hadn't put up any resistance. Instead, he had walked away from the scene, a maelstrom of emotions churning inside him—shock, anger, and confusion. But one thing had been crystal clear: he was determined to climb the Tower. He needed to uncover the truth and seek his revenge.
The following day, Kale had headed straight for the 1st floor's main hall. The place had been bustling with activity, people moving about in a frenetic rush. Yet, Kale had paid them no mind. His focus had been unwavering. He had headed straight for the trial portal, resolute in his purpose.
Day 10
Kale had been deep in the heart of the trial, and the challenges had proven to be even more brutal than he had imagined. His stomach had growled incessantly, a constant reminder of the hunger gnawing at him. Desperately in need of sustenance, he had scoured the area, but food had been scarce.
The goblins he had encountered had grown increasingly cunning. That day, he had found himself facing one of their stronger warriors—a large goblin with a scarred face and a crude, heavy club. Kale had been tracking it through the dense forest, hoping to catch it off guard.
He had crept closer, using the underbrush for cover. Just as he had been about to strike, the goblin had turned abruptly, its beady eyes locking onto him. It had let out a guttural growl and charged. The goblin had been faster than he had anticipated. It had swung its club with such force that Kale had barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of air as the club passed by.
His hunger had made him sluggish, and he had struggled to keep up with the goblin's fierce assault. Each swing of the club had been like a shockwave, shaking the ground. Kale's attempts to counterattack had been weak and imprecise. The goblin had dodged with surprising agility, and every clash with the club had drained him further.
Desperate, Kale had spotted a sharp rock and hurled it at the goblin. The rock had struck true, staggering the goblin momentarily. Seizing the chance, Kale had charged forward, his sword flashing as he attacked. Despite his fatigue, he had managed to land a decisive blow. The goblin had fought back desperately, but Kale's final strike had ended the battle.
Exhausted and famished, Kale had retrieved the goblin's club—a meager trophy for his efforts. He had set off to find a place to rest, the victory overshadowed by his overwhelming exhaustion and hunger. Reflecting on his talent, Higher Risk, Higher Reward (Ex1), Kale had felt disillusioned. What was meant to offer greater rewards had now felt like a curse, making every trial harder and the rewards ever more elusive.
Day 25
Kale had finally stumbled upon a rare moment of peace amid the relentless trial. After days of brutal skirmishes and persistent hunger, he had discovered a breathtaking waterfall. It had been a hidden paradise amidst the chaos—a stark contrast to the harsh battles he had endured.
The waterfall had cascaded down moss-covered rocks, creating a soothing roar that filled the air. Sunlight had filtered through the dense trees, casting a gentle glow on the shimmering water below. The pool at the bottom had been so clear that Kale could see the smooth stones beneath. Vibrant wildflowers had added splashes of color to the lush greenery surrounding the waterfall. The air had been cool and fresh, carrying the faint, sweet scent of blooming plants.
Despite the serene beauty, Kale had known he couldn't let his guard down. His Beginner Survival Instinct (C2) had been his constant companion, providing subtle warnings of potential dangers. As he had set up camp by the waterfall, the skill had helped him stay vigilant. Each minor alert had reminded him that even in this tranquil spot, danger could be lurking nearby.
The night had been peaceful, yet Kale had remained on edge, his survival instinct keeping him alert. The brief respite had allowed him to catch his breath and gather his strength, but he had known the trials were far from over.
Day 50
The waterfall near Kale's camp had still been a beautiful sight, but its tranquility had seemed almost mocking given the relentless struggle he had faced. His camp had become a fortified position, complete with an array of traps designed to fend off the goblins.
Kale had become adept at setting up traps. Pitfalls had been his primary defense. He had dug deep holes, covered them with branches and leaves, and set up sharpened stakes at the bottom. For quicker goblins, he had used snare traps, rigged with strong vines to ensnare them. He had also employed tripwires connected to small explosive traps made from flint and tinder. The explosions had been risky but effective.
The previous night, goblins had attacked in force, avoiding his traps and forcing Kale to fight hard. The night had been brutal, with goblins coming at him in waves. Despite the chaos, the traps had made a difference, and Kale had survived.
As dawn had broken, Kale had surveyed the wreckage. His camp had been a mess, and many of his traps had been damaged, but he had been alive. The battles had been exhausting, and Kale had known better than to let his guard down. Each day had brought new challenges, and he had had to remain vigilant.
Day 100
A hundred days in, the waterfall near Kale's camp had still been stunning. The cascading water had been as beautiful as ever, but it had felt almost mocking given the constant struggle he had been enduring.
He had turned the area around his camp into something of a fortress. He had become proficient at setting up traps, including pitfalls, snare traps, and tripwires connected to explosive devices. The pitfalls had been deep holes covered with branches and leaves, with sharpened stakes at the bottom. The snare traps had used strong vines to ensnare quicker goblins, and the tripwires had triggered small explosions that took out several goblins at once.
His new skills had helped significantly. Trap Expert (C1) had made setting up traps quicker and more reliable, while Goblin Slayer (A1) had given him a huge boost in damage against goblins. The previous night, goblins had attacked, seemingly aware of some of his trap patterns. They had come at him in waves, forcing him to fight harder. The night had been intense, with traps damaged and goblins scattered everywhere. Despite the exhaustion, Kale had managed to survive another day.
Day 243
As Kale had navigated through yet another desolate goblin village, he had noticed a shift in the air—a sense of foreboding that had made his skin crawl. Amid the debris, he had spotted a barely visible entrance, hidden beneath the wreckage. His heart had raced as he had uncovered it, revealing a heavy stone door etched with ancient runes that pulsed with an ominous glow.
Pushing open the door, Kale had felt a shiver run down his spine. The chamber beyond had been vast and dark, the silence almost oppressive. In the center of the room had stood the goblin mage, surrounded by its minions. Its eyes had glowed malevolently in the dim light, marking this as the boss room—the final confrontation.
The weight of exhaustion and despair had borne down on Kale. The trials had taken a severe toll, leaving him hollow and worn. The fierce battles, constant hunger, and relentless solitude had extinguished his initial motivation. He had felt like a mere shadow of himself, barely holding on.
In the midst of his despair, the thought of his brother had given him strength. The memory of his brother's smile and laughter had been a beacon of hope. For his brother, Kale had steeled himself. He had gripped his weapon tightly, determined to face the challenge head-on.
Day 244
Kale had entered the boss room, prepared to confront the goblin mage—an opponent usually encountered in the fifth trial. The mage had remained at the back, surrounded by minions, using them as shields while casting powerful spells from a distance.
With a surge of adrenaline, Kale had hurled his weapon at the mage. His aim had been true, and the goblin mage had fallen to the ground, seemingly defeated. But just as he had begun to relax, a cold, creeping presence had enveloped him. The air had thickened, and the chamber had seemed to warp as his cursed talent activated.
The goblin mage's body had convulsed, revealing that it had only been feigning death. Its eyes had glowed with dark energy, and it had let out a guttural roar. From the shadows had emerged two hulking goblin champions, their dented armor still imposing and their massive axes gleaming wickedly.
Kale had barely had time to react. The first champion had swung its axe with a roar, gouging the ground where Kale had stood moments before. His heart had raced, and his muscles had strained against the overwhelming fatigue. The goblin mage's cruel laughter had echoed, heightening the sense of dread.
Kale had fought with all his remaining strength, focusing on one champion while dodging the other. The champion's armor had been resilient, and Kale's attacks had seemed ineffective. The second champion had charged, its axe raised high, and Kale had narrowly avoided a devastating blow.
In a desperate bid, Kale had set a trap, luring one of the champions into a narrow choke point. He had triggered the mechanism, delivering a powerful jolt of electricity. But the champion had shattered the trap and charged back at him.
The goblin mage had continued to chant, gathering dark magic into a destructive ball of energy. Kale had leapt aside just in time to avoid the scorching blast, feeling the heat and pressure of the explosion even from a distance.
Determined to end the battle, Kale had focused on the goblin mage. With his last reserves of strength, he had launched a final, powerful attack. His blade had cleaved through the air, striking
[Talent: Greater Risk, Greater Reward activated]