Eren's feet hit the cold, metallic floor of the Phantom Gate as he emerged from the portal. His body sagged with exhaustion, and his pack, though lighter from the used crystals, felt like it weighed a ton.
The tower's interface flickered before him.
Floor 3 Complete.
Tokens Earned: 16
New Inventory Unlocked:
• Mana Stabilizer Blueprint (Tier 1)
• Temporary Recall Crystal (3 hours)
Eren scanned the rewards, his interest immediately piqued by the Mana Stabilizer Blueprint.
"A stabilizer… could be exactly what I need to stop these unpredictable mana reactions," he muttered, his mind already spinning with ideas. Then his eyes fell on the Temporary Recall Crystal, its faint blue glow pulsating softly in his inventory.
A notification appeared, explaining its function:
• Allows limited-time return to Earth (up to 3 hours). Can only be used after completing a floor. Consumes 10 tokens per use.
Eren frowned. "Ten tokens? That's steep, but… Earth." He considered it for a moment but shook his head. "Not yet. I need to be better prepared first."
He stepped toward the workshop area, which had become his sanctuary in this strange, shifting place.
The Workshop
The room felt more alive than ever. His notes were spread across one wall, diagrams scrawled hastily in charcoal on sheets of parchment the tower provided. Tools were laid out in neat rows, and the workbench was cluttered with parts salvaged from the previous floors.
Eren dumped his pack and immediately retrieved the blueprint for the Mana Stabilizer. As the holographic diagram unfolded before him, he studied the intricate components.
Mana Stabilizer Blueprint
• Function: Regulates ambient mana to reduce instability in devices or environments.
• Components:
• Mana Conductor Plates (x3)
• Resonance Core (x1)
• Binding Filament (x2)
Note: Materials can be acquired through tower trials or traded at Phantom Gate shops.
The interface even highlighted substitutes he could use for some components. Eren traced a finger along the Resonance Core's schematic. "I might be able to use shards from those glowing crystals on Floor 2."
He flipped open his notebook and began sketching plans. "Step one: stabilize mana flow. Step two: test it on the sound emitter to extend battery life. Step three: see if it can be used offensively."
Token Management
Eren's stomach growled, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced at the token terminal near the workshop's entrance. "Right. Time to figure out how much of this loot I can burn on food."
The interface flickered to life as he approached.
Token Exchange:
• Meal Pack (Standard): 2 tokens
• Meal Pack (Enhanced): 5 tokens
• Basic Tool Refill: 3 tokens
• Advanced Material Crate: 12 tokens
"Two tokens for a meal?" Eren grumbled, selecting the standard option. A tray materialized on the counter: some kind of protein bar, a water pouch, and a small piece of fruit.
He grabbed the tray and slumped into the corner of the room to eat. The bar was dense and flavorless, but it dulled the ache in his stomach. The fruit was sweet, a welcome contrast, and the water was refreshingly cold.
"This… isn't terrible," he admitted. "Could be worse."
Preparation for Floor 4
As he ate, Eren pulled up the remaining token exchange options, focusing on the Advanced Material Crate. He frowned at the high cost but marked it for future consideration. "If I'm going to keep building, I'll need better supplies."
After finishing his meal, he returned to the workbench and laid out his tools. The sound emitter's drained battery was his first priority. He worked carefully, adjusting its internal wiring to handle more power and adding a small crystal shard to act as a stabilizing core.
Hours passed as he tinkered, and the device hummed to life. The shrill noise it emitted was slightly more focused, the frequency sharper. "That should do it," he said, setting it aside.
Next, he adjusted the light emitter, improving its brightness and battery efficiency. With every small success, his confidence grew.
The Tower Speaks
As he worked, the tower's interface activated again.
Floor 4 Challenge Preview Unlocked:
• Mission Type: Survival
• Objective: Survive waves of enemies while protecting a mana core.
• Recommended Preparation: Defensive constructs and ranged weaponry.
Eren's eyes widened. "Tower defense?" He stood, pacing the room as he processed the information.
"Alright," he muttered, jotting notes in his notebook. "I'll need barricades, maybe traps. The light emitter could work as a decoy, and the sound emitter might disorient them long enough for me to hold the line. But… I'll need more firepower."
He turned to the token terminal. The Basic Tool Refill caught his eye. "Three tokens for a refill… probably worth it." He selected the option, and a small box appeared. Inside were wires, screws, and other essential components.
"Perfect," Eren said, diving back into his work.
A Night of Focus
Time in the Phantom Gate felt fluid, but Eren's exhaustion was real. He fought off sleep as he sketched ideas for makeshift traps and defensive gadgets. His mind buzzed with possibilities, fueled by equal parts adrenaline and fear.
"Tomorrow," he said, setting down his tools. "Tomorrow, I'll see if this is enough."
He crawled into the corner of the workshop, pulling his pack under his head as a makeshift pillow. The faint hum of the Phantom Gate was oddly comforting as his eyes closed.
For now, he was as ready as he could be.