With **Golden Fang** defeated and its remnants scattered, the weight of CODE's rise to power settled over **Starter City**. The once-dominant guild that had controlled much of the city's economy and territory was gone, and in its place, CODE had swiftly moved to fill the vacuum. But for Alex, Betsy, Drax, and Luke, this victory was just the beginning. The challenges ahead were even greater, and the looming question was clear: What next?
The bustling streets outside **Obsidian Gambit** reflected the change. Merchants who once paid tribute to Golden Fang now came to CODE for protection. Smaller guilds, once hesitant to make a move, had aligned themselves with Alex's vision for stability. Yet, behind the apparent success, Alex knew that the balance of power was fragile. The **NPC nobles** who ruled parts of Starter City had remained neutral in the conflict, watching from a distance, and there was no telling how they would react now that CODE had taken control.
In the days following the fall of Golden Fang, the **war room** in the guild base became the center of CODE's operations. The room was filled with maps, reports, and records detailing the assets they had taken over from Golden Fang. Drax's team had secured most of their **trade routes**, and Betsy's network of contacts had helped ensure a smooth transition for the guilds that had aligned themselves with CODE.
But Alex wasn't interested in resting on his laurels. The first floor had been secured, but his eyes were already on the **next floor** of ALBEKO. The next stage of their journey awaited, and he knew that the challenges they had faced so far were nothing compared to what was coming.
As the team gathered around the table in the war room, Alex spoke, his voice calm but filled with purpose. "We've accomplished what we set out to do. Golden Fang is finished, and CODE is the dominant force in Starter City. But we're not done. The **second floor** is waiting, and we need to start preparing."
Betsy, seated beside him, nodded. "We've secured enough resources to begin making moves on the second floor, but the political situation there is different. The NPCs and guilds on the second floor won't be as easy to deal with as those here. We need to be smart about how we approach it."
Drax, leaning back in his chair with a grin, cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like more fighting to me. I'm all for it. Just point me at the next bunch of fools who need knocking down."
Alex smiled faintly but shook his head. "It's not just about fighting. The second floor is controlled by the **Dwarven Kingdom**, and they're much more organized than the NPCs here. If we want to make an impact there, we'll need to start building **political alliances** early."
Betsy tapped the table thoughtfully. "The dwarves control the economy of the second floor, especially the mining operations. If we can secure a partnership with them, we'll have a foothold. But there's more to it than that. The guilds on the second floor are stronger, more established than the ones here. They're not going to welcome us with open arms."
"We'll make them," Drax said confidently. "One way or another."
"Let's not jump to force just yet," Betsy replied, shooting him a look. "We need to play this carefully. The dwarves are proud and value strength, but they're also shrewd negotiators. If we go in guns blazing, we'll turn them against us. We need to show them that **working with CODE** will benefit them."
Alex nodded in agreement. "Betsy's right. The second floor is about building alliances, not just taking control. But we'll also need to prepare for the **dungeons**. The second floor's mobs are stronger, and we'll need to level up before we can face the **bosses** there."
"Which brings us to the next challenge," Betsy added, turning to Alex. "We need to talk about your class, Alex. The **Shade Master**."
Drax raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Yeah, I've been meaning to ask about that. You're the only one I've ever seen with that class, and it's not listed anywhere in the game. You've got all these shades running around, and no one else seems to have access to anything like it. What's the deal?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, the weight of his secret pressing on him. He hadn't shared the full extent of his **glitched stats** or the true nature of his class with the rest of the team, but after everything they'd been through, he knew it was time to be honest.
"My class isn't normal," Alex admitted, his voice steady. "I didn't choose it. When I first entered ALBEKO, there was an error in the system—a glitch. Instead of picking a regular class, I ended up with something… different. The **Shade Master** class allows me to summon and control shadows, but it's not listed as an official class in the game."
Betsy's eyes narrowed. "That explains a lot. No one else can do what you do."
Alex nodded. "The shades are powerful, but they're also unpredictable. I'm still learning how to control them. And as we move to the next floor, I need to understand how far I can push their power."
Luke, who had been silent up until this point, finally spoke, his deep voice calm but firm. "**Verum**."
Alex glanced at Luke, understanding the weight of the word. The truth was out now, and there was no turning back.
"So, what's the plan for the shades?" Drax asked. "You've been using them to help us out, but is there more we can do with them?"
"There is," Alex said thoughtfully. "I've been experimenting with the shades, and I think I can start **transforming** them, making them more versatile. Up until now, they've mostly been used for combat and infiltration, but I want to see if I can **combine them** into larger, more powerful forms. Maybe even use them to build or guard our guild base."
Betsy looked intrigued. "You're talking about making them more like **constructs**—tools we can use for more than just fighting."
"Exactly," Alex replied. "If we're going to make a name for ourselves on the second floor, we need more than just strength. We need **resources**, and I think the shades can help us with that. But I'll need time to experiment and see what they're truly capable of."
Drax grinned. "Well, you've got my support. Anything that makes us stronger is a win in my book."
Betsy smiled. "And if we can show the dwarves that we've got a unique advantage—something they've never seen before—they'll be more inclined to work with us."
Alex nodded, the plan taking shape in his mind. "Exactly. We'll approach the Dwarven Kingdom with a partnership, offering them access to our resources and protection. But we'll also need to prove ourselves in the **dungeons**—show them that we're strong enough to handle the mobs and bosses on the second floor."
---
Over the next few days, the team worked tirelessly to prepare for the journey to the second floor. **Drax** led the training efforts, helping CODE's newer members level up and refine their combat skills. **Luke** oversaw the guild's operations, ensuring that their base in Starter City remained secure while they focused on expanding their influence.
Alex spent his time **experimenting** with the shades, pushing the limits of their power. He discovered that by fusing smaller shades together, he could create larger, more **complex constructs**—shades that could serve as **workers** or **guards** for the guild. It was a new and powerful tool, one that would give CODE an edge as they moved forward.
Betsy, meanwhile, began laying the groundwork for CODE's diplomatic efforts on the second floor. She made contact with several **merchants** and **guilds** that operated in the Dwarven Kingdom, gathering information on the political landscape and the key players they would need to influence.
"We need to make our move soon," Betsy said one evening as the team gathered in the war room. "The **entrance to the second floor** is opening soon, and other guilds are already preparing to head up. If we wait too long, we'll lose the element of surprise."
Alex nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "We'll head to the second floor in the next few days. But we need to be ready for anything. The guilds on the second floor are more powerful, and they won't be as easy to deal with as the ones here. We'll need to prove ourselves—both in battle and in diplomacy."
Drax's grin widened. "I'm ready. Let's show them what CODE's made of."
Luke, standing quietly in the corner, gave a nod. "**Verum.**"
Alex smiled. "Then it's settled. We're moving up."
---
As the sun set over Starter City, casting long shadows over the streets below, Alex stood on the balcony of the Obsidian Gambit, looking out over the city they had fought so hard to control. The journey ahead was daunting, but Alex felt a surge of confidence. They had faced challenges before and come out stronger each time.
The **second floor** awaited, and with it, new dangers, new alliances, and new opportunities.
But CODE
was ready.