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By using my special powers, I cald Alma by extracting her dark emotions and helping her feel more at ease. Indeed, by extracting Sorrow and other Negative Emotions, I can enhance people’s ntal state, boosting their confidence, strength, and happiness. However, I’m cautious about overusing this power, as it feels quite dangerous.
"Alright, here we are."
As we passed through the tower door, we arrived not in another world but within the tower’s interior, which appeared dark and constructed of bricks. The walls were clearly visible, and the floor consisted of plain gray ceramic, illuminated by floating blue flas scattered throughout.
A small white portal glowed mysteriously in the center, seemingly the gate to the next floor. We appeared to be in so sort of resting area, though I didn’t fully understand its purpose.
As we stepped inside and looked around, we quickly noticed several silhouettes—other Players from the tower, hailing from various worlds.
So resembled humans, both male and female, so young and others old. But there were also all kinds of other beings. So looked like giant, human-sized ants clad in armor and wielding weapons. There were red, burly ants, smaller black ants, and strange white ants with long, sharp scythes.
I also spotted peculiar crystal creatures composed of geotric shapes. And there was... was that a toy? It resembled a massive, walking plastic toy! Though covered in clothes, it was clearly sothing like that. There was also a bizarre golem-like being made of Lego blocks. What were these? Are there really so many strange worlds? Wow.
Additionally, there were sentient, talking animal people—not beast people, but actual animals.
Around a dozen individuals were present, so sitting, others talking or waiting for sothing, perhaps resting or sharpening their weapons. Parties discussed their strategies.
When we arrived, so noticed us but didn’t speak directly, rely glancing before returning their attention to the floor, their weapons, or their companions.
Though so of us were surprised by these inhabitants, Alma was the most shocked, pointing at each strange and bizarre being with awe.
"Wow, they are so strange. I had never seen a huge toy like that before. I think not even in the Nightmares, which are so weird already."
"...?"
The sentient toy person glared back with his plastic eyes. He resembled an action figure with pale white skin, glowing blue eyes, and plastic brown hair. He covered half his mouth with a leather coat, carrying a sharp blade made from half a scissor.
"Alma, don’t speak so loudly. It’s rude among the tower’s people," I said. "You must understand that there are all kinds of worlds out there. So may seem odd to us, but we’re just as strange to them. Let’s avoid rudeness to prevent unwanted attention."
"A-Ah, yes!" Alma nodded. "I’m so sorry...!" she apologized to the plastic man, who looked away after hearing her apology.
"Hey! I see you are new around here!"
Suddenly, as I wondered about the system notification, soone addressed us. It wasn’t a human-like or animal-like person as I’d hoped, but a slightly humanoid... bacterium?
It had small red eyes and no mouth but could sohow speak. Honestly, it resembled a sli. Its only accessory was a large cowboy hat atop its "head."
"Ah! Yes, hello..."
"Welco. This is the inter-floor area, a place where we gather to rest, sharpen weapons, or set up small shops. The area isn’t large, and most of us keep moving, but you’re welco to use it. Surprised by my appearance? I’m a Bacterium from Floor 31. If you ever visit, it’s a fascinating world, I’d say."
"I see. May I ask a question, sir? Oh, what’s your na? I’m Maria."
"I’m Splex. Ask away, Maria."
"What’s that portal over there?"
"That leads to the world below. If you’ve visited floors before, you can teleport directly to any of them."
"That sounds very convenient. Thank you."
"By the way, I sell wares I’ve collected around the tower, if you’re interested. We use System Points here, earned by slaying monsters, completing quests, and so on."
Splex extracted a blue cube from his oozing, green-sli body and clicked it, causing the cube to unfold and reveal a digital-like screen displaying various items for sale.
From armor pieces and magically enchanted weapons to dicine and more... Though he had nothing we didn’t already possess or need, except for one intriguing item.
"What’s that thing over there, Splex?"
"Oh, this?"
It was a golden key with a strange pyramid shape on it.
"This is a Thebes Key. Very rare, it randomly teleports you to any Thebes-conquered world. Thebes is on Floor 70, but they’ve also conquered Floors 61 to 69, so they’re all connected. Higher floors are incredibly powerful, I tell you."
"I see. That’s very convenient. It could help skip floors easily."
"Yes, but most don’t dare. Thebes is dominated by a powerful Pantheon and their Rising Sun Kingdom, who are mostly hostile to players and outsiders. The mont you arrive, you must swear loyalty or face pursuit."
"That sounds... terrible. I’m not sure, but maybe it could work for us. How much is it?"
"It’s very valuable. I can’t sell it below ten million points. I know it’s expensive, but I’ll tell you what, I might lower it a bit. I like you folks. If you do a favor and visit Floor 48, I can offer a nice discount. I also sell more items there."
"Huh..."
As I considered it, Eraldine whispered in my ear.
"Um, Maria, is he even trustworthy?"
"He probably isn’t, but I’ll play along. We’re going to Floor 48 anyway."
I turned back to Splex.
"Of course, let’s go there. I have a large party, though. I hope you don’t mind?"
"Ah, of course not. It’ll be fine. Now co with !"
As he slowly approached the portal, I finally noticed system notifications appearing one after another, though fewer than I expected.
Ding!
[Congratulations! You and your Party have completed the {Floor 49 Trial}!]
[You have successfully completed all Trial Requirents and Challenges, including those that were hidden.]
[You have received the following Trial Rewards: [ 100,000,000 System Points], [Floor Skipping Ticket (Party)] x1, [ 5 Weapon Enhancent Ingot (SS Grade)] x1, [Soul Elixir (SS Grade)] x1, [Azure Star Astral Key (S Grade)] x1, [Random Skill Creation Card (SS Grade)] x1, [Dream Heart Spirit Crystal (SS Grade)] x1]
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