Chapter 19
Miko's problem now was that, being an autonomous artificial intellect linked to Dane's brain, she lacked real material hands. As she considered her next course of action, Miko saw that in order to activate the skills, she would have to figure out a means to physically connect with the scrolls. Since she was accustomed to managing the digital world rather than the real one, this posed a special challenge for her.
Miko was trying to access a certain amount of control over the formless armor, but to no avail; it will only follow the conscious mind of its current master. Dane was still sleeping and recuperating when a news report came about the development in the tower and all major events within and outside the country. The larger picture of the world view was now on the ongoing skirmish that Solnara Cererindur was currently facing, a huge catastrophe. When a drake awoke from its slumber and was now ravaging small towns near the main capital to feed its hunger.
Local tower guilds are requesting immediate action from all willing player guilds within the vicinity. The first guild to answer the call was the East Lazarus Clan, the White Devil and the Red Shield. Miko saved the news and wanted to inform Dane about this, but she can't force him to awaken as his body was in a state of healing and recovery.
While this was happening, Natasha was frustrated after what she witnessed. The tower was just a year old, but within that time, many creatures escaped the tower and set foot into the human realm, so many supernatural scenarios made headlines and were captured by CCTV cameras. But this was the first time a new player manifested this kind of skill and mana use. The entire VIP hospital room was ruined, but Natasha didn't mind this as she can afford the renovation. What was making her upset was the fact that Dane vanished and the two magic scrolls inside her bag are now missing.
After watching the full video, Natasha laughed when she saw what had actually happened to the two scrolls. She had asked the doctor for permission to check the CCTV camera inside the VIP room. She thanked the security and informed the hospital staff that their guild lawyer would take care of all the payments because she had to leave right away. She also stated that she needed to find Dane, even if she didn't find him, because the East Lazarus guild had also agreed to join the hunt for the Drake.
Reports that this Drake is evolving and wishes to conquer another area, these unconfirmed reports are normal as the residents of the tower love to gossip and make up stories just to make the lords notice the problem and take action without even considering the aftermath of the false narrative they all created out of hate toward their respective leaders.
This particular drake had a long history of violent encounters with the tower residents and recently a few players as well. After getting wounded, it hid itself underground to recover, but now, after 14 months, it awoke again, and it was hungry.
This Drake was stubborn and prideful; sadly, because of this, it can be easily manipulated by those seeking power and control, especially in the empire that is nearest the tower entrance and exit. Many savage creatures that feared the drake began to follow it as a sign of their allegiance, further complicating the situation for the lords and their people.
At the same time, inside the tower
At the same time, inside the tower, within the Solnara Cererindu, ruler of King Deryth Cererindur, were talking to his advisors concerning the players that joined the quest; he wanted well-known players to answer his call to help them against the Drake, and not those war-born players, especially the Lazarus Guild, who were into the war rather than gaining influence.
King Deryth Cererindu knew that the fate of their kingdom rested on the success of this quest, and he needed to ensure that only the most honored and skilled players were by his side. The advisors agreed with King Deryth Cererindu's assessment, emphasizing the importance of strategic alliances and showing that their empire was more capable of dealing with this kind of threat, as many kings and royalties are watching his empire's solution.
King Deryth Cererindu's pride and honor were at risk, and he was determined to prove his worth on the battlefield. The advisors suggested controlling the flow of the battle, making sure that the one that kills the Drake would come from his royal household.
One of his advisors noted that these clans are known for their success in wars; news about the drake having an army following it was still unconfirmed.
This particular king rules his empire with lavishness. As his dominion was near the tower's entrance, he and all of the inhabitants came to be at it as it was; all of their past history and personal experience in life were fabricated. Their entire life was created out of whim and anger toward humans; they were the manifestation of humanity's indulgence with pleasure and power.
But it never came to their attention as they moved on past this, because they could never accept they were all based on a game that humans created and wasted their time feeding their fantasies, as they all have flesh, blood, and emotions. They were indeed alive, but their essence came from the conscious mind and creativity of a mortal being.
King Deryth Cererindu's lavish life as his empire has a direct connection to the towers gatekeepers; the commerce that these gatekeepers allowed to enter was all just food and players themselves; human technology and equipment were rejected as they instantly disintegrate upon entering. This was the law in place by the gods when they created the tower.
The players only have five skill slots; these are set based on the virtual game avatars. The first cathedral that was authorized to increase the players level was at the heart of the empire of Solnara Cererindu. The biggest gold earner of this empire was the fact that gold and experience oint were the biggest contributors in a player's career and power.
The cathedral has two basic functions: first, increasing one's level or increasing stat level.
These two correspond with each other similarly but at a different rate. For example, when a player wishes to live a life at a more natural pace, they tend to live in a slow, safe manner; these individuals are more focused on the adventure and learning with time on their side rather than rushing to increase their level. This allows them to fully immerse themselves in the tower world and enjoy the journey rather than just focusing on the destination.
These players' levels are connected to how huge the player's experience is in finishing a quest or mission. Many veteran players with low skill stats can still have a high level because of their experience dealing with certain issues.
These individuals are highly respected. These players are more into gaining fulfillment in life rather than achieving power and wealth in the game. They often prioritize helping others and sharing their knowledge and experience, making them valuable assets to any guild or group. Their wisdom and guidance are sought after by newer players looking to improve their skills and progress in the game. nevertheless, their skill stats somewhat reflect their level at a certain degree.
These players are mainly mages, sorcerers, scholars, merchants, adventurers, potion masters, and forgers.
On the other hand, players with higher stats on their five skill slots are those who prioritize power and risk. They are often seen as competitive and driven to be at the top, willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. These players may not always prioritize helping others or sharing their knowledge; they are more focused on the thrill of the hunt, but their impressive skill stats make them formidable opponents in any challenge or battle. Their focus on improving their skill and spell output can lead to impressive achievements and recognition within the tower community.
These players are mainly warriors, mercenaries, knights, and other combat-focused classes who thrive on the adrenaline of battle. Their dedication to honing their skills often results in them being sought after for difficult quests or high-stakes battles where their expertise can make all the difference.
These two sets were derived from the theory of chaos and order. The balance of the two was the main focus of the theory, with chaos representing individualism and freedom, while order symbolized structure and control. Finding the right balance between chaos and order was believed to be essential for achieving success and fulfillment in the tower community.
Any because the empire of Solnara Cererindu has a huge land territory with nearly a dozen smaller towns, their dominion is 2000 square miles in total. With vast explored and unexplored natural geographical features such as mountains, rivers, and forests, the empire of Solnara Cererindu is able to maintain a diverse ecosystem that supports its population. The abundance of resources and strategic location of the towns within the empire contribute to its overall prosperity and stability.
Many players were astonished when the first batch entered the gate; they all assumed the world inside the tower was enclosed in massive walls depicting what was outside the tower. Upon entering, a solitary, towering gate could be seen standing in an open, flat land; the gate itself was so huge it had an entire city in between the entrance door and the exit. door.
These doors were created to ensure no monster could exit the tower unauthorized. As it stands, solemnly, a few miles outside the Solnara Cererindu domain. Many players documented their findings to the human world as the world inside the tower was open and vast. To visible wall nor ceiling was in sight, only an endless expanse of land, forests, mountains, and water stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was an entire word with just the first floor of the tower.
The space between these two corresponding tower gates has a gap of 100 meters in the middle where the gatekeeper resides. These powerful beings guard the gate; they are bound to the law the gods created. These winged humanoid-looking beings are equivalent to the principal angel of the human religion, but these gatekeepers are not similar to the human visual counterparts.
These gatekeepers are divided into two classes; the first one stood ten feet tall, and their bodies are made of non-flesh and non-blood materials. Their eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, and their wings spanned wide, ready to take flight at a moment's notice. The gatekeepers were adorned with intricate symbols and markings that signified their allegiance to the gods and their duty to protect the tower at all costs.
These beings were fueled to consume mana crystals to retain their massive physical bodies, as their power is not connected to the tower itself.
The second gatekeepers were more human-like as they managed the administrative work in the gate; these beings were like high elves in physical appearance. These beings, numbering only about a hundred, unlike their counterparts, whose number is unknown, these elegant and good-looking beings oversee the daily operations of the tower and ensure that only those deemed worthy are granted access. Despite their different appearances, both sets of gatekeepers shared a deep sense of duty and dedication to their roles in protecting the tower.
The empire of Solnara Cererindu has no authority over the gate, but again, because they were nearer, they gain a lot from those players that seek fame and glory. But the calamity that has awoken again in the far tip of their territory was threatening their way of life. So the quest to hunt down these massive monsters was declared, with a bounty of a hundred thousand gold coins. Luckily, this Drake was slow and took its time to ravage the land, giving the hunters a chance to prepare and strategize. The fate of the empire depended on their success in defeating the creature before it reached their borders.
Since logistical travel was still restricted to large-scale caravans, the tower's limited technology was making huge transit challenging. Under the cathedral's monopoly, a few strategically positioned teleportation hubs and transfer scrolls were available and sold in numerous local guild branches across the country, but they were prohibitively costly. Because each scroll cost 10 gold coins per allocated distance, the farther, the more expensive, most players were forced to rely on more conventional means of transportation, which slowed down their reaction time to threats like the approaching creature. However, a small number of players would invest in those transfer scrolls in order to avoid impending death.
This forced them to rely heavily on their ability to strategize and coordinate effectively in order to have a chance at defeating it before it came near a large volume of people.
As the tower was located at the east tip of the first floor, many players guilds took this opportunity to establish their base in this area, as it was under the control and management of the gatekeepers, provided they were paid with mana stones.
Like in the game, two types of currency are used: mana stones and gold coins. Mana stones were essential for accessing certain areas of the tower, while gold coins were used for purchasing items and equipment. This dual currency system added an extra layer of complexity to the tower, forcing players to carefully manage their resources in order to progress effectively.
The five elder Lazarus were among the first batch to be privileged enough to enter the gate when it appeared in the human realm. These five established the five guilds on the entire floor. They spent a lot of gold to make sure they gained the upper hand, a sacrifice well spent as they secretly move in the shadows.
While the rest of the guilds were focused on fame and glory, the Lazarus clan spent millions of gold coins to purchase three long-distance teleportation scrolls to establish their dominance in the guilds. It was their way to ensure they gain control over the tower, like what they did when it was still a virtual game in the past. It was their natural instinct to move and think like this.
The Lazarus clan knew that strategic investments were necessary to maintain their power and influence within the tower. Their willingness to sacrifice resources for long-term success set them apart from their competitors and solidified their position.
Charlotte Lazarus, leader of the Easy Lazarus guild, was finishing their preparation as they planned to use the Mary Kay Guild to secure the route toward the location, as her guild was created to be the information gatherer and support for the main four. This guild was not focused on warfare but instead was dedicated to gaining as much information as possible inside the tower. But don't be fooled; the members of this guild are dedicated scholars and strategists who are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their guild's success, even if it means sacrificing their own personal gains. Their unique approach and dedication to their mission make them the real force behind the 4 Lazarus guild mission's success.
Their caravans were designed and built to transport a vast quantity of commodities and supplies into the tower for their trips. Because the size and weight of the caravans depend on how many people they can hold and how much storage room they have, Mary Kay Lazarus Guild was dubbed the High Strategy Guild. Each caravan was hauled by a huge armored skin war bull that was the size of an adult elephant. Each of the ten caravans they have offered can accommodate up to ten passengers and 4,000 kilograms of supplies.
And because Mary Kay's powers were connected to the ground, she can use her skill to make the travel more efficient. As rough terrain posed no challenge to her abilities, the High Strategy Guild quickly became known for their ability to navigate through any type of landscape with ease. Their reputation for safe and efficient travel made them a popular choice for those seeking to transport goods or people across long distances.
Charlotte Lazarus was addressing her team while Mary Kay oversaw the final loading; the two have different personalities. They tend to get under each other's skin from time to time, as they have different interests inside the tower, but nevertheless they are close and as connected with one particular drive, and this is to conquer the tower.
A tiny area of woodland forest was located on the wide-open plain, and the East Lazarus Guild stronghold position is ideally located one kilometer from the main exit gate within the tower. Due to her previous experience as an explorer in the virtual game, Charlotte's mother, Addison Lazarus, was able to get the rights to the 50-acre forest by paying the gatekeepers 1,000 kilograms of mana stones. Fortunately, she concentrated on obtaining a substantial quantity of these stones while playing the game. When the gods built the tower, they permitted each gaming avatar to acquire all of the materials they did so while within, and they only permitted them to leave the tower with permission from the gatekeeper.
Being the largest weapons corporation, the Lazarus Corporation's huge income was never an issue nor their main goal, but they focus on acquiring the necessary resources to maintain their power and influence in the world. This strategic approach allowed them to focus on expanding their territory and dominating their rivals through sheer strength and resource management even before the tower became a reality. So obtaining the right to build the other Lazarus Guilds was easily achieved; they were seen as devotees of warfare.
but they were excellent strategists first and warriors second. Their reputation for cunning and calculated decision-making made them a force to be reckoned with in the world of corporate warfare. This combination of strategic prowess and military might solidified their position as the gatekeeper of the weapons industry.
Mary Kay never liked the idea of going into missions unprepared; she stares at the open sky and still wonders how this place can be so unreal. And wonders what the future holds for those who are residing in the tower. She wanted to message Dane, who hasn't yet entered the tower.
And because technology doesn't function inside, they have no clue what Dane was doing, as he never asked for any help. She understands his desire for independence and self-reliance., but there are times asking for help is necessary for survival. Mary Kay knows that in this dangerous world, cooperation and communication are key to staying alive.
"Boss, we are almost done. Why are you staring at the sky again?"
"Huh! Oh, I was just admiring the view."
"We have spent many days studying the sky inside the tower, and we haven't even gained any information on how far the sky is in here."
"Yeah... Unlike on Earth, but I can't resist looking at it; combining the supernatural and scientific approach can be tiresome, but honestly I just love the feeling of wonder it gives me."
"I agree, it's a nice break from the monotony of our research. Let's finish up here; Charlotte gets grumpy when the schedule gets off track."
"the only thing missing are the titanium 3-meter projectile rods,"
"Ask only of the free players ear at the gate to ask about it; those rods are back up for the one we already have. Better to be safe than sorry."
"I'll grab the equipment, you start packing up our notes, and don't forget to have it signed by Edgar."
"Yes, boss! I'll get right on it."
Edgar is a beastling. Standing four feet tall and slightly plump, this bobcat had a humanoid appearance. He wore a regular shirt and jeans like a person, but his tail protruded. He has a strong sense of loyalty to his boss, Mary Kay, after she prevented a Basilisk rock snake from killing him and his whole family. She employed all 10 of them as her first employees in exchange, and five more of her cousins joined her under her High Strategy Guild. These were the twins, Sophia and Emma, as well as the young children, Bonnie, Maggie, and Cody.
Under Mary Kay, she has nearly 70 staff. Their headquarters is located at the empire of Solnara Cererindur. And because they are more into support than fighting, their headquarters looks like a warehouse, unlike the East Lazarus guild that looked like a fortress with 200 members who are all warriors and
As for The High Strategy Guild, it focuses on providing strategic support and guidance to their clients, utilizing their diverse skills and expertise. Their unique approach has earned them a reputation for being the go-to guild for those seeking innovative solutions in the empire of Solnara Cererindur.
When Charlotte Lazarus emerged, she smiled and welcomed her cousin Mary Kay, who was thrilled because they were finally going to hunt a Drake, which was said to be fifteen meters tall and weigh about twenty tons. It had thick, durable scales that could withstand a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, making it resemble a giant Komodo dragon on Earth. After days of preparation, the cousins were finally prepared to set out on the once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Meanwhile, outside the tower, Bonnie Lazarus was also about to enter the tower when the international news team that was stationed on the new continent swarmed them as they heard the High Strategy Guild was supplying the East Lazarus Guild with additional equipment to hunt the Drake that was ravaging the Solnara Cererindur territory. Bonnie and her team were not huge fans of gaining media attention, as many other guilds used this opportunity to gain any small advantage they could to gain the upper hand or just humiliate her guild, as they were known to be non-combatants in the Lazarus clan.
The High Strategy Guild can easily gain the upper hand in any skirmishes, as they can indeed fight, but unlike the rest of their clan, they prefer to stay far from any conflicts. As much as they could, they are all more into gathering knowledge.
Bonnie didn't let the sudden attention deter her from her goal of bringing the extra titanium projectiles . The determination to go above and beyond the call of duty is one of the reasons the Lazarus Excel succeeded in their goal; they committed to covering every potential problem in every work they took on. Many missions failed due to inadequate preparation and resources, particularly when it came to supplies. The Lazarus Excel stands out from other clans due to their commitment to meticulous planning and preparation, which guarantees their success in even the most difficult missions.
The colossal tower, a chaotic monument piercing the sky, was far from a mundane structure. Its very existence warped the reality around it, radiating an energy that pulsed with an unpredictable, almost sentient force. The land itself seemed to react, with strange flora sprouting in vibrant, unnatural hues and the air crackling with unseen power. This undeniable influence rippled outwards, affecting the surrounding areas, causing concern and alarm across the globe. Nations, both large and small, recognized the potential, and perhaps the danger, of this anomaly, leading to a flurry of diplomatic activity.
In a move reflecting the global apprehension, many governments dispatched their most seasoned representatives to the area, setting up makeshift embassies and diplomatic outposts in the shadow of the colossal tower. The situation reached a critical point when the United Nations, recognizing the need for centralized control and to prevent further escalation, formally declared the newly emerged landmass under its protection, effectively barring any nation from claiming sovereignty. The message was clear: the tower and the land it stood upon were beyond the scope of national agendas, a phenomenon that required universal cooperation and caution.
Unpredictable seismic activity and sporadic, strong plasma storms devastated the landmass farther from the tower, creating a dangerous and hostile environment for any prospective inhabitants. Scientists and academics from all over the world were keen to examine the distinct geological and atmospheric characteristics of this enigmatic continent, despite the difficulties. And discovered that the safest location was really close to the tower itself; it resembled a spinning vortex, and the center of the storm was safe. The safe zone is five kilometers in radius, and within that radius, there are no detrimental impacts from seismic activity or plasma storms.
The safest path in the tower was guarded by elite mage guilds. There was a gap caused by the storms that tore through the new continent. This was confirmed when the first batch of players arrived at the tower and began exploring the region. With the assistance of almost half of the registered barrier spellcaster players, the United Nations is in charge of overseeing the safest route to the tower as they establish a flight path. All players had to register for this purpose in order for the association to record and categorize their skills. The ability to erect barriers was employed to safeguard goods and transportation.
That's why being recruited to be part of a guild is important; the plane ticket to enter the new continent was so expensive, Dane was now somewhat regretting his decision to remain independent and not ask for help from his clan. Dane was having a light snack while watching the news live on his smartphone. He saw Bonnie as she got interviewed by many reporters at the location; she looked annoyed and frustrated with all the attention.
Dane couldn't help but wonder what had happened to put her in such a position, but he knew better than to interfere in her business. He finished his snack and decided to reach out to her and text her later to see if she needed any support. Dane really needs to gather enough cash or gold amount to finally enter the tower. His time frame had to be adjusted; for some reason, he felt he needed to shorten the time.
Miko wanted to inform Dane that the formless armor can also teleport him to a location he has seen, and she assists the location so he won't accidentally overlap any objects as his teleportation door manifests in that particular place. She wanted to assure him his mana was sufficient enough for him to cross thousands of miles safely; the only side effect is he can't use his mana at its full potential as he needs to regain it in order to fully utilize his powers again.
As the teleportation skill was set to be used based on how large the mana in a player's body was, the previous owner could only utilize its ability at a 10 percent at a distance of just twenty meters, as the dead player Robert Duller never increased his mana and was contented in creating criminal acts.. But Dane was preoccupied at the moment, so she didn't want to come off as rude to her master, so she waited patiently and waited for the right moment to come.
Out of nowhere, a huge explosion occurred while the news was being broadcasted live. Dane wasn't that close to the rest of his relatives, especially the new generation. But it's not like he didn't care about them at all; he just had a different way of showing his care and concern for his only family. The explosion made Dane unconsciously reflect on his relationships and realize that he needed to make more of an effort to connect with his family before it was too late. As the chaos unfolded, dozens of masked players came and attacked Bonnie and Cody Lazarus, who were noncombatants.
These players were intentionally attacking them for reasons still unknown, as the camera of the camera fell and landed on the ground. It was still functioning. Bonnie used her powers to stop the attackers, but she got wounded from the blast. Cody, who has the ability to cast shockwave, was unconscious as he was at the center of the blast. Dane saw that the two were wounded. The blast came from another player. They were caught off guard; Bonnie never expected another guild would take interest in their supply, as these are common materials for a dragon hut. Bonnie thinks, "Wait now, as she realizes they may be in danger of losing their valuable resources to a rival guild. She quickly formulates a plan to protect their supplies and ensure the safety of her team.
But the enemy was too many; the wound in her side was making her dizzy; the blood loss was too much to bear. As she fought to stay conscious, Bonnie knew she had to act fast before it was too late. With her last bit of strength, she was about to get stabbed when a smoke-like tentacle tore the masked attacker like it was made of paper.