1[00 Months: 30 Days: 21 Hours]
As I wandered through the dimly lit compound, the darkness seed to amplify my thoughts, wrapping around like a shroud.
The world had quieted down, leaving only the distant sounds of construction and the soft rustle of the early morning breeze.
I found myself reflecting on the whirlwind of events that had consud my days and nights since the incident.
The Great Southern Dungeon, an opportunity I had been eagerly looking forward to, had slipped from my grasp.
I was so busy with everything else that I simply hadn't found the ti to explore it.
I had been consud by the rebuilding efforts of the Lyma Capital and the Lyma Estate. Managing the hired adventurers and rcenaries, supervising the minions, and pouring over the intricate details of construction were no small tasks.
Then there was the coordination with various craftsn, architects, and suppliers, not to ntion the constant vigilance required to maintain the magical barriers around the Estate and the Capital.
My responsibility to Theo had taken the majority of my ti. Boosting his image and grooming him for leadership were tasks that required delicacy and subtlety.
While Drius was out traveling the land, consolidating support for the young heir, I was behind the scenes, pulling the strings, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
But I knew that this period of relative peace wouldn't last long.
Rival families and ambitious nobles would soon realize that Theo's rule was not as fragile as they might have hoped. They would begin to strike, in ways both overt and hidden, and I would have to be ready to counter them.
I felt a weight settle on my shoulders as I considered the complexity of the situation. It was like a grand ga of chess, with moves and countermoves, strategy and tactics, allies and enemies.
But unlike a ga, the stakes were real, and the consequences of a misstep could be dire.
A sense of loneliness crept over as I realized that much of this burden rested solely on my shoulders. Yes, I had Theo and Drius, but it wasn't like I trusted them.
There were a lot of things I hid from them, either for their own benefit or for mine.
'I… don't think I can get too close to them.'
Not unless I wanted a repeat of what happened the last ti.
I stopped and looked up at the night sky, the stars shimring like distant beacons.
Was I doing the right thing? Was I on the right path? The questions lingered, unanswered, as I stood alone in the darkness.
'Instead of getting stronger as fast as I can… I'm stuck here. But, this is what I wanted isn't it?'
With a heavy sigh, I resud my walk, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the night.
There was one last thing that troubled . Perhaps it was the most pervasive thought that caused unrest.
The looming shadow of the First Trial gnawing at my mind. The reality of what lay ahead had sunk in, and it was weighing on like a heavy stone.
"The First Trial," I muttered to myself, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's coming soon, and I need to be prepared."
The clock was ticking, and the remaining ti I had to spend on this Ground Floor was limited.
If the ti within the Floors flowed the sa as in the Ground Floor, as I suspected, it ant that the longer I was away, the more vulnerable Theo and the others would beco in my absence.
I considered all the counterasures I had put in place to protect them.
But were they enough? Could I trust that they would hold against Francis and the other enemies lurking in the shadows?
"Drius will be with Theo," I reassured myself, trying to quell the rising tide of anxiety. "He will watch over him. He will keep him safe."
But what good would that do? Natives were weak against Survivors.
Plus, it wasn't as if the System forcibly sent everyone to the First Floor. We had a month to challenge it before our Floor Pass expired.
'That ans The Alliance can show up here while I'm away.'
The fear that sothing might go wrong, that sothing could slip through the cracks, was a persistent itch I couldn't shake.
"I can't take any chances," I growled, clenching my fists. "I must conquer the First Floor as quickly as possible. Every mont I'm away is a mont they're at risk."
I knew that my concerns were not unfounded. Francis had proven himself to be cunning and ruthless.
'I still don't know how many allies he has, and how much influence he has managed to accrue. Plus, now that I stopped his plan and killed a good number of his subordinates, he's bound to co for eventually.'
One misstep, one mont of complacency, and everything could co crashing down.
I stared at the sky above, the uncertainty gnawing at . I had never felt so burdened by responsibility.
The stakes were high, and the margin for error was thin.
'But sohow… why do I feel so impatient? It's almost as if I want them to co at .'
"I'm going to do this," I whispered to myself, determination steeling my voice.
There was no turning back now. The path ahead was fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but it was the path I had chosen.
And I would see it through to the end.
*******
[00 Months: 30 Days: 23 Hours]
It was closely approaching dawn, and I found myself sitting in the almost barren garden within the Estate.
The once vibrant landscape was still in recovery, but its tranquil beauty still resonated with . The garden's quiet solitude was a perfect backdrop for introspection.
I was alone with my thoughts, reflecting on everything that had transpired.
The weight of what lay ahead weighed heavily on , and my mind kept returning to Lucy Fer.
I hadn't seen her since that fateful encounter, and I couldn't help but wonder how she was doing.
"Have I really grown stronger?" I asked myself, my voice lost in the wind. "Am I prepared for what's coming?"
I felt a pang of doubt.
I knew I had co a long way, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I hadn't progressed as much as I should have.
"I must beco stronger in this First Floor Trial," I resolved, determination welling within . "
The thought of the Tower filled with a sense of urgency. Ti was running out, and I knew that I had to be prepared.
As if to remind of the impending deadline, the system notification appeared before my eyes:
[System Notification: Tower of Trials - First Floor Opening in: 00:19:16]
The countdown was relentless, ticking away the seconds with cold precision.
The reality of what was coming was inescapable, and I felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
I stared at the numbers, watching them decrease, each tick a reminder of the impending challenge.
'I wonder what I'll face…'
At tis like these, I wished I had the journal I used to keep of my dreams when I was much younger. Sure, I knew the future could be changed, but surely, the Trials would remain the sa.
'If I could prepare beforehand, that would be nice.'
The first light of dawn slowly began to break, soon to cast a soft glow over the garden.
The ti for preparation was drawing to a close, and the mont of truth was at hand.
With a deep breath, I rose from my seat, my eyes still fixed on the countdown. I knew what I had to do.
The first rays of sunlight were just beginning to spread across the sky, casting a golden glow over the garden.
It was a beautiful morning, filled with promise, yet tinged with a sense of urgency.
Just as the sun fully erged, a System Notification appeared before my eyes, pulling from my contemplation:
[System Notification]
[Details]
~ The First Floor is a solo challenge and no companions are allowed.
~ Ti within the Floor flows the sa as on the Ground Floor.
~ Failure to complete within one month will result in automatic removal from the Floor.
~ Acceptance will lead to imdiate transportation to the First Floor.
[Option: Accept / Refuse]
I stared at the notification, the details of the First Floor laid out before . The choice was mine to make, and the mont had co to decide.
I thought back to my conversation with Theo and Drius, how I had inford them of my impending absence.
I had told them I needed to gather more funds and get stronger for our cause.
It wasn't a total lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either.
The countdown in my mind seed to tick louder now, each second urging to make a decision.
"There's no need to hesitate. I just have to accept and return as quickly as possible. I'll do my best."
Whatever happened after, even if it ant the destruction of this entire place, was already out of my control.
There was no use contemplating even further after I had done my damndest best.
"I'm ready," I whispered to myself, a newfound determination surging within .
With a decisive movent, I selected 'Accept.'
The world around seed to pause for a mont, and then everything began to fade.
The garden, the Estate, everything I had co to know, all of it vanished as I was transported to the First Floor of the Tower of Trials.
I felt a strange sensation, a mix of excitent and trepidation as I was pulled into a new world.
The familiar surroundings were gone, replaced by the unknown.
'Alright, Mikey…' An unconscious smile ford on my face.
I didn't know why.
"... You can do this."
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[A/N]
Alright! The ti has co for the First Trial.
I hope you're all ready.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers!
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