Eren emerged from the portal into a dimly lit chamber, his body still buzzing from the obelisk's revelations. The weight of the Insight Fragment in his pocket felt heavier than it should, a tangible reminder of the cryptic message burned into his mind.
The room he now stood in was stark and functional, a sharp contrast to the grandeur of the previous floor. It resembled a command center, with screens embedded into the walls displaying flickering streams of text and diagrams he couldn't decipher. The air carried a faint metallic tang, and the hum of unseen machinery filled the space.
For a moment, he thought he was alone. Then, a familiar blue glow materialized in the center of the room—a system interface.
Floor Transition Complete.
Tokens Earned: 5
Rest Period Available: 12 Hours Access Phantom Gate?
[Yes] [No]
Eren hesitated. The option for rest was tempting, but his mind churned with questions. What was a "flux"? Why had the system singled him out? And what did the Insight Fragment mean?
He selected [Yes], and a door slid open at the far end of the room.
The Phantom Gate
The Phantom Gate was as he remembered it: sterile, quiet, and unnervingly empty. The translucent blue console glowed softly, and the interface greeted him with its usual options.
Current Tokens: 53
Ration Pack (1 Token)
Extended Stay (5 Tokens)
Workshop Access (8 Tokens)
Analysis Chamber (15 Tokens)
Eren's gaze lingered on the last option. The Analysis Chamber was new, and its description was enticing:
"Provides detailed insights into objects or phenomena. May require additional resources for advanced analysis."
Without hesitation, he selected it. A section of the wall shifted, revealing a small chamber with a circular platform in the center. Eren placed the Insight Fragment on the platform, watching as beams of light scanned the shard.
Analysis in Progress…
The process took longer than expected. Minutes dragged into an hour, and Eren found himself pacing the room, his mind racing with possibilities. Finally, the console chimed.
Analysis Complete.
Object Identified: Insight Fragment (1)
Purpose: Contains encrypted information about the Tower's origins and anomalies.
Warning: Access restricted. Fragment requires synchronization with a minimum of 3 additional pieces to unlock.
"Figures," Eren muttered, running a hand through his hair. The Tower seemed determined to keep him in the dark, doling out answers only in frustratingly small doses.
He left the chamber and returned to the main console, opting to purchase a Ration Pack and Workshop Access.
Building to Understand
Inside the workshop, Eren spread his tools across the bench. He retrieved the mana crystal he'd kept since the first floor and stared at it alongside the Insight Fragment. Both pulsed faintly, the energies within them seemingly alive.
"I need to figure this out," he muttered, picking up his soldering tool.
He began experimenting, using the synthesizer to create a small device—a rudimentary scanner designed to detect energy fluctuations. If the Tower wasn't going to give him answers, he'd find his own.
After hours of meticulous work, the scanner was ready. He held it over the Insight Fragment first. The device emitted a soft beep, displaying faint, erratic energy waves on its screen. When he moved it to the mana crystal, the waves became more stable but far stronger.
"Interesting," Eren said, frowning. The fragment's energy was chaotic, almost as if it were actively resisting analysis. The crystal, on the other hand, was brimming with raw power, eager to be used.
Before he could delve deeper, a sudden alert flashed across the console.
Warning: Anomalous Activity Detected. Phantom Gate Access Terminating in 60 Seconds.
"What?" Eren's head snapped toward the console. The timer counted down rapidly, and the walls of the Gate began to flicker.
He scrambled to gather his belongings, shoving tools and supplies into his pack. Just as the timer hit zero, a portal appeared, yanking him through before he could even catch his breath.
A Glimpse of the Tower's Intent
Eren landed hard on a new floor, his heart racing. The environment around him was dark, with towering stone spires jutting out from an endless void. Wisps of light floated through the air like fireflies, casting an eerie glow.
For a moment, all was silent. Then, a familiar voice resonated in his mind—the Tower's voice, but different this time, more fragmented.
"Anomaly… detected. Flux identified. Adjusting parameters…"
The words sent a shiver down his spine. Whatever was happening, the Tower was aware of him in a way it shouldn't have been.
Eren clenched his fists, his breath steadying. He didn't have all the answers yet, but one thing was clear: he wasn't just climbing the Tower. He was part of something far bigger, and the Tower was as much his opponent as it was his guide.
"Fine," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "You want to adjust your parameters? Let's see how far you're willing to go."
With that, he began to explore the dark expanse of the new floor, determined to uncover the truths the Tower so desperately wanted to keep hidden.