Over countless regressions, Reece had experienced depths of suffering that most couldn't begin to imagine. Pain, failure, loss—all recycled in an unending loop that repeated itself with agonizing familiarity. For those who didn't know the toll of living countless lifetimes, regression might seem like a gift, a miraculous second chance to set things right, to redeem oneself from past mistakes.
But for Reece, regression was nothing short of a curse—a bleak reality that chained him to lives and deaths beyond counting. In the eyes of others, it might have looked like a blessing, but for him, it was simply a life-sentence.
Reece held a unique version of this "gift," a complete and unbroken cycle of regression. Through it, he retained each experience, every painful memory and each bitter lesson. After 925,892,035,832,195 regressions—a number so vast it was well past a trillion—he could feel the wear on his mind and soul.
He prided himself on his mental acuity, on his ability to keep his sanity intact, but even his resilience had limits. After all these lifetimes, he was weary. A new approach was needed, something that could break this vicious cycle or at least grant him a foothold to escape it.
"Master," Prima's voice chimed in, soft but steady as she spoke in his mind. She sensed his thoughts, the weight of so many lives pressing down on him. "Have you thought about our strategy for this round?"
Reece stepped through the towering gates of Lorasia, the bustling beginner city of the Tower's first floor. The city sprawled out before him, a blend of chaotic energy and quiet ambition. Some saw it as a place of new beginnings; to others, it was just another staging ground in the endless climb. For him, Lorasia was an old, familiar haunt he'd passed through in far too many lifetimes. Each brick, each cobbled road was etched into his memory.
"I have some ideas," he responded, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the streets. "For now, I need time. Time to get the old crew back, starting with Liz and Lyranos. And since we'll be going for Lyranos, I'll check in on Camila, too."
"But… that would require you to evolve into a god, right?" Prima asked, uncertainty clear in her voice. Even with all their shared memories, there were some obstacles that seemed insurmountable.
Reece shook his head, sighing as he slowed his pace. "Not necessarily. I've been thinking… if I plan this right, I can get to the two realms outside the Tower much faster than before. It'll depend on Liz and the particular bloodline she'll inherit this time."
As he walked, the familiar weight of responsibility settled over him. He knew that each regression shifted circumstances, changing events in ways he couldn't always predict. While he was able to retain his knowledge, his actions were dictated by probabilities, altered by each twist and turn of fate that might occur around him in the present.
The lives of those he cared about, like Liz and Lyranos, often hinged on his ability to intervene at just the right moments, avoiding disasters that might spell doom for him and everyone he hoped to protect. With each new life, he was tasked with preserving them, with ensuring they didn't fall prey to fate's merciless hands.
"Sometimes, it's like walking on a tightrope," he thought aloud. "Even one wrong move could end it all."
"But you've managed to pull through every time, Master," Prima replied with a note of cheerfulness. "You've made it through tight spots more often than I can count, and each time, you've come out stronger."
Reece managed a small smile. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Prima. We'll see what's in store for us this time." He paused as he took in the bustling streets ahead. Lorasia was teeming with activity as always, with climbers and traders jostling shoulder-to-shoulder, laughter and shouts echoing through the air. "For now, let's focus on our immediate goals. First, we get the cores we need and head for Liz on the fifth floor."
Prima's voice softened as she processed his words. "If I'm not mistaken, based on this regression's timeline, Liz should be forming her core soon, right? Perhaps she's even begun instinctually sensing her bloodline."
Reece nodded. "You're right. This time, we need to be there to help her make the right choice. Right now, she's a void beast, driven by instinct and self preservation alone. Once she's had time to grow, she'll evolve. If we're there early enough, we can guide her, help her achieve consciousness faster and take control over her own fate."
Liz's situation was anything but ordinary. She was born as a void beast in the endless void, somehow finding herself in the Tower's lower floors, her instincts guiding her through danger after danger. She had survived against all odds, her days a cycle of fighting, consuming, and defending herself from predators who saw her as little more than prey or leveling fodder.
Liz had once been hunted relentlessly, her life constantly at risk from climbers and other creatures alike. As she grew and evolved, she had asked Reece for a name—Elizabeth. And while she had managed to survive solely through animal instinct in the beginning, it was only after a particular evolution trigger that she'd gained her awareness, becoming more than a mindless creature bound to the Tower's whims.
And in this life, according to Reece's and Prima's memories, she was approaching her first significant evolution. Timing was everything. Reece needed to gain strength quickly, make his way through the first four floors, and find her before any harm befell her. The fifth floor could be unforgiving, and he wasn't willing to let chance determine her fate.
With his goals settled, he finally approached the Adventurer's Association building. The structure loomed large, its polished stone exterior exuding a dignified air that stood out amidst the rough-and-tumble nature of the surrounding streets.
The Association building was, in many ways, the heart of Lorasia. It acted as a central hub for climbers seeking rest, resources, or a quick commission before venturing back into the Tower. Inside, the space was filled with adventurers of all sorts, from weary veterans nursing drinks at the bar to merchants negotiating deals with climbers for rare materials. And of course, there were the eager newcomers, each one hoping to find fame or fortune.
The atmosphere was a mixture of lively chatter, clinking glasses, and the unmistakable murmur of quiet deals. Reece half-expected a pin-drop silence when he entered, or perhaps a brash fool challenging him to prove his worth, but he was relieved when his entrance went largely unnoticed.
"Looks like they're too occupied with themselves to care about some stranger in a mask," Reece thought wryly.
"Or maybe they've seen way too many to even care" Prima added
Ignoring the rowdiness around him, he made his way toward a counter labeled Inquiries, where a short line had formed. Here, climbers could register as members of the Association, inquire about commissions, or request information on local floor-specific tasks. To most, joining the Association was a pragmatic choice. Within the Tower, they were a reliable, neutral faction, acting as a kind of law enforcement and task manager.
Outside, they were prestigious and well-respected. For Reece, the Association's neutrality and flexibility were exactly what he needed. They would allow him to act freely, granting him access to resources and protection without forcing him into restrictive allegiances or unnecessary conflicts as was frequent with large families, guilds and various organizations.
Joining the Association was straightforward. All one needed was to provide a sample of their mana signature, which would be recorded and used to create a climber's card—a multi-functional ID that not only provided a climber's information but also kept track of their achievements, reputation, and any infractions against the Association's rules. A climber's card served as both a badge of identity and a record of their status, visible to anyone with a similar card.
Reece finally reached the counter, where a young woman with elven features greeted him, her polite smile carefully maintained. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Association. How can I assist you today?"
"I'd like to register," he replied, his tone steady and unassuming.
The receptionist's smile brightened slightly. "Of course! I'll just need a sample of your mana signature and name. Once we register it, we'll issue your climber's card and log your identity in our system." She gestured to a polished crystal embedded in the counter.
Reece placed his hand on the crystal, letting a controlled stream of normal mana, a converted form from his primal one since using primal mana on such a crystal would undoubtedly shatter it, flow through it. The crystal shimmered for a brief moment before returning to its original dull hue. The receptionist nodded and turned to retrieve a small, metallic card from behind the counter. After a few minutes, she handed it to him.
"Here is your climber's card. This will serve as your identification within the Association. If you have any questions about our policies or regulations, please don't hesitate to ask."
Reece took the card, slipping it into a hidden pocket in his coat. "Thank you," he replied simply, turning to leave.
With the card in hand, Reece felt the faintest glimmer of satisfaction. The Association's neutrality would provide him with the cover he needed. From here, he could operate with relative freedom, using the connections he'd cultivate to draw attention from the higher-ranking officials, eventually reaching the first to tenth-floor branch managers. He would strike a deal with them—a deal they couldn't possibly refuse.
As he stepped back into the crowded streets, he considered his next steps. He'd need to gain enough experience and power to advance quickly, collecting the cores he'd require to solidify his strength on the lower floors. And he would need to prepare for what awaited him on the fifth floor, where he'd find Liz. Her first evolution would come soon, and he wasn't about to let the Tower's monsters or climbers exploit her.
Prima's voice broke through his thoughts. "Master, your plan with the Association… Are you hoping to stay under the radar?"
"For the time being," he replied. "The Association's neutrality is one of the few constants. It'll be invaluable in the long term, especially if we're aiming to avoid attention while we build up resources. With the right connections, I'll have more room to maneuver."
Prima's tone grew thoughtful. "That makes sense. They won't be suspicious of a climber who's working through the ranks. But Master, if Liz's situation is as urgent as you believe, we should make haste. You know the risks she faces in her current form."
Reece's expression hardened. "I know. That's why we're not wasting time." His voice grew softer, almost reflective. "Liz's journey has always been a hard one. She's fought for every step, every breath… and she deserves the chance to live beyond that cycle. If we get there in time, she'll have a better start—a fighting chance to decide her own path."
Stepping out from the Association building, Reece blended back into the flow of people, his figure cloaked in shadow and secrecy. Lorasia's streets bustled around him, filled with climbers, merchants, and all manner of life. Most of them carried their own hopes, their own ambitions to climb higher. But for Reece, this path was no longer about personal gain or even vengeance. It was a means to an end, a way to break the chains of endless regression and protect those few who mattered in this relentless world.