Sarah's fall stretched on, an unnerving eternity. She'd expected the floor below to mirror the one above, but the descent seemed endless, gravity's relentless hand accelerating her plummet. Shit! Is (Immortality) off cooldown? She frantically tried to recall the skill's timer, but before she could check, the air was violently expelled from her lungs as she slammed into the unseen floor.
The impact was brutal. Her body seemed to melt into the surface, a disturbing echo of a long-ago experiment with acid. She felt herself merging with… Something. Panic clawed at her throat when she realized she couldn't breathe. Her pain-wracked body fought to surface, the solid she'd initially perceived proving deceptive. It was water. And something else, something the system notification clarified:
You have consumed the Water of Sin. HP, MP and Stamina recovery are increased by 500% for the next 2 hours.
A quick status check revealed the near-fatal consequences of her face-plant. Her health, hovering precariously at 34, was now slowly climbing back up. That was almost death number four. And I might not have survived it. The chilling realization struck her: time hadn't slowed before impact. (Immortality) is still on cooldown. I really need to start listening to those warnings about being careful.
Looking up, Sarah could barely make out the faint, ethereal glow of the mana crystal. It was a tiny speck of light against the oppressive darkness, a distant beacon in the vast, watery expanse. How did I even survive that fall? she wondered, her body aching with a thousand protests. Every muscle screamed in agony, and a quick mental check confirmed her fears – her health was critically low.
The distant ceiling, barely visible through the inky water, offered no comfort. A single, faint dot of light marked the crystal's position, impossibly high above. And how is anyone supposed to get up there in the first place? she thought, a surge of frustration bubbling to the surface. She grumbled internally, cursing the sheer absurdity of the tower she owned.
Guess I won't be visiting Solus for a while, she thought, a pang of regret hitting her. Sorry, buddy. She sent a silent apology to the guardian waiting patiently above, before turning her attention back to her immediate surroundings. With the meager light filtering down, she strained her eyes, trying to pierce the gloom.
"I can't fucking see anything down here!" she muttered, the words echoing slightly in the cavernous space. "Where are the bastard lights in the Tower of Death?" The name now felt chillingly appropriate. The cold water lapped at her chin, and a shiver ran down her spine, unrelated to the temperature. She was alone, injured, and in the dark. The mana crystal, her only hope, seemed miles away.
Tower of Death - 1
- Since the passing of the last Master, the tower has regressed back to its original state. Unlock new features by performing sacrifices and granting souls to the Tower of Death.
Current floors: 1
Souls: 2
Features need to advance: 1
Features available: 1
- Lighting (1)
"Are you fucking kidding me? Those are my sacrifices?!" Sarah cursed, treading water to stay afloat. Her Endurance was the only thing keeping her from sinking, and a bitter taste filled her mouth.
"I'm more than a little annoyed," she muttered, "but at least my deaths weren't entirely in vain." Forcing a positive outlook, she tapped "Confirm" on the only available feature.
Mana crystals erupted from the black-green walls, spiraling upwards like luminous vines and bathing the silo-like structure in an eerie glow.
The walls, previously shrouded in darkness, now revealed a mystical texture, their shadowy depths hinting at something ancient and powerful.
Congratulations! The Tower of Death has leveled up: New features are available.
No new rooms materialized, which wasn't surprising given the status update and the fact that she was still on the same, solitary floor.
"How the hell am I supposed to get out of here then?" As the light stabilized, Sarah spotted a stone slab jutting out from the wall. She swam towards it, the chilling thought crossing her mind that she could have just as easily hit solid rock instead of water.
Pulling herself onto the slab, she shivered, the dampness clinging to her clothes. She hoped the upgrade had changed the tower's status, perhaps offering a clue to her predicament.
Tower of Death - 2
- Since the passing of the last Master, the tower has regressed back to its original state. Unlock new features by performing sacrifices and granting souls to the Tower of Death.
Current floors: 1
Souls: 1
Features need to advance: 2
Features available: 2
- Ground Floor (1)
- Door (1)
Damn it! It has to be the door, right? The ground floor probably doesn't have another exit. But what if it does? Argh, what if it doesn't?! And what if the door leads nowhere? These stupid choices! Sarah's health was slowly recovering as the pain from her fall subsided.
Stupid tower and its bullshit choices. There's a third option, but I really don't want to go there.
Skill: Immortality – ready for use.
Seriously? Talk about timing.
Sarah was contemplating suicide. This time, however, it definitely qualified. What she hadn't expected was the universe, in all its infinite wisdom, prompting her during her deliberation.
Still… I suppose I could use this… opportunity? Definitely not the right word. To see what's at the bottom of this place. I'd gain that last sacrifice in the process, and who knows, I might find something useful. As long as I don't factor in drowning, it's not a bad idea. Fuck. Let's do it quickly before I lose my nerve.
Submerging herself into the water's embrace, Sarah swam down beneath the surface. The light emanating from the tower's mana crystals struggled to penetrate the murky depths of the Waters of Sin. The deeper she went, the more her visibility was stolen away, until she was enveloped in an oppressive, inky blackness. When her feet finally touched the bottom, a small gasp of air escaped her lungs.
Forcing herself to remain calm, Sarah resisted the urge to bolt for the surface. She moved through the pitch-black water, her hands sweeping across the stones and rocks with each kick, relying on touch alone. Though she couldn't see, her other senses were heightened, and she desperately searched for anything within reach. A cold dread began to gnaw at her. The thought of dying down here, another sacrifice to the Waters of Sin, was a chilling weight in her chest.
Sarah knew she couldn't hold her breath much longer. When the next involuntary exhale left her lungs, a primal fear screamed at her to flee, to return to the life-giving air above. She fought down the panic, her will battling against instinct. Just then, her fingers brushed against a small, smooth object.
Not a stone.
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She fumbled, almost losing it in the darkness, until her fingers closed around it. It was round and small—a ring. As the last of her air escaped and she inhaled a mouthful of the stagnant water, Sarah slipped the ring onto her finger.
You have consumed the Water of Sin. HP, MP, and Stamina recovery are increased by 500% for the next 2 hours.
Even as her body began its desperate struggle for survival, Sarah’s mind remained focused on the sacrifice. The irony wasn't lost on her. Her body fought to live even as her mind accepted death. The will to survive was overwhelming, a powerful current pulling her upwards even as her consciousness slipped away.
You have consumed the Water of Sin. HP, MP, and Stamina recovery are increased by 500% for the next 2 hours.
The theoretical concept of drowning was a world away from the gut-wrenching, terrifying reality. Sarah's struggles grew weaker, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. The water filled her lungs, a burning sensation that consumed her. The panic was a cold fist squeezing her heart.
You have consumed the Water of Sin. HP, MP, and Stamina recovery are increased by 500% for the next 2 hours.
Fuck. That was her final, desperate thought as the Waters of Sin claimed her. Death triumphed, but the strange message lingered, a bizarre counterpoint to the finality of her demise.
.?° ? °?.
"Master! You're back, and you can teleport now?" Solus was shocked by Sarah's sudden return, the question tumbling out in a rush.
Sarah opened her eyes, the heat from the fire a welcome caress against her chilled skin. Her body had returned to its familiar form, but her clothes clung to her, heavy and soaked. A shiver ran down her spine, a stark reminder of her recent ordeal, and a frown tugged at her lips.
That was the worst death yet. Thank fuck I didn't change my spawn point.
Looking at the murder door, who was clearly happy to see her again, Sarah could also see some notifications regarding her latest loss against Life waiting patiently to be read. She resolutely ignored them as she inched closer to the fire.
"No, I can't teleport. Not yet, anyway. If that's even a thing," she amended. "Unfortunately, I died again. I'm not the best Master yet. I must admit."
Ignoring the notifications to the best of her ability, and seeing no reason to lie to her guardian, Sarah explained what had happened to her down below, as well as what she'd done to advance the tower. As she spoke, she couldn't help but appreciate the fine piece of jewelry that had respawned with her.
I wasn't sure it would come with me, but I'm glad to know it worked.
Sarah was pleased with her find. A small, emerald-green gem was inlaid into a beautifully-crafted golden ring. It was a simple design, elegant in its understated beauty. But that wasn't all. A quick glance at her skills revealed more:
Ring of the Necromancer: 5/100
Staring at the ring's status, Sarah wrestled with the sheer impossibility of it all. One hundred item slots? It defied every law of physics she knew, a concept as outlandish as the Lance Corporal's uncanny ability to respawn. The contents, however, were even more unsettling. This ring alone would send scientists reeling, its storage capacity light-years beyond human comprehension. But the items within... They were on another level entirely.
Sarah hesitated, a shiver runner through her. The Necromancer's Robe, a single, flowing piece complete with hood and cowl, lay within like a silent accusation. "Absolutely not," she declared. "I'm not dressing like the villain in someone else's story. Even if I am the villain right now." A sudden urge seized her. "I should burn it. Destroy it. Eliminate the temptation."
Book of Souls: 6/100 – Indestructible
Another impossible item. A book, made of paper, yet it held souls. Souls! Sarah's mind struggled to grasp the implications. The description was brief but chilling: "The remnants of those who have died can be absorbed into the Book of Souls and used to advance the tower."
"Incredible," she breathed, the word laced with unease. Then, her mind, ever practical, latched onto a different aspect. "But this ring… If it can hold this book, could it hold more rings? A hundred rings, each filled to the brim? That's… Ten thousand items! One person could carry the entire army's supplies!" The logistical implications were staggering.
Shaking her head, Sarah dragged her attention back to the ring's contents. Another book lay nestled within, its aged pages whispering of forgotten lore. After skimming a few passages, she recoiled. "The Book of Death. Perfectly named. Definitely not my style." Back it went.
Two items remained. She eyed their descriptions with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Shoes of the Necromancer: Rare
- Part of a two piece set
- Comfort is increased 100% and color will adjust to match any outfit
- Boosts Necromancy by 200%
- Boosts Natural Regeneration by 100%
Sarah couldn't resist. Her standard-issue boots, now a distant memory within her ring (6/100), it was madness, were instantly replaced by a pair of pristine white slippers. "That is so cool. I love magic!" she breathed, slipping her feet into the seemingly oversized footwear. The magical fabric tightened, conforming perfectly to her size.
"Oh my word!"
As the slippers shifted to a subtle green, mirroring her drab attire, Sarah grinned. It was like walking on air. She knew swapping boots for slippers in this environment was foolhardy, but the sheer bliss of walking on clouds overwhelmed any practical concerns.
"Never," she vowed, taking a few tentative steps. "I am never taking these off." The thought crossed her mind that their true nature as part of a Necromancer's set was well-disguised. "Especially without that ridiculous robe," she added, then paused. "Actually... No. I'm not even going to think about the potential benefits of that robe. Comfort might sway me, and then I'm doomed.
"Some wannabe hero will show up, and I'll be reinforcing every negative stereotype about dark sorcerers. Just knowing it's part of the set is almost making me not want to throw it away. I'll just leave it in the ring for now and deal with it later."
The last item in her ring was a staff. It looked like it was crafted from the wood of some twisted, dark tree, almost black, with veins of purple swirling near the top. It resembled a spine, a malformed, gnarled spine. An unholy power radiated from it, a palpable energy that Sarah felt the moment she withdrew it.
"Now that is a weird piece of wood. Definitely in the 'evil-as-fuck' category."
Staff of Death: Unique
- Created with branches taken from the Devil's Tree, the Staff of Death is now a relic of the past. Increases the user's stats by double when supplied with mana. Necromancy will not fail when cast with the Staff of Death. Necromancy is twice as effective when cast with the Staff of Death.
Four intricately carved hands formed the staff's head, each clutching a corner of a dazzling, purple gem, holding it securely in place.
"It's almost a shame I'm not going to use it," Sarah muttered, a grimace twisting her features as she admired the magnificently crafted, undeniably evil weapon. "Well, not in public, anyway." She carefully placed it beside her chair. It was, without a doubt, the most impressive piece of wood she had ever seen.
"Last, but not least, I suppose?" she mused.
Congratulations! You have been awarded a new title: Who Needs Oxygen
[Who Needs Oxygen?]
- Certainly not you! Although this may sound familiar, you have died, again. Your lack of caution and care are truly a terrific combination. Soon you might not even be able to die. +30 Vitality. You have acquired a Unique Skill: Breathless
(Breathless)
- Through faults entirely of your own making, you no longer need oxygen to sustain your mortal form. Be careful of drowning... Oh, that's right! You don't need to.
"What can I say to that? I can't... I don't... I'll just spend these souls for now and circle back to it," Sarah muttered, shaking her head at the absurdity of her new reality.
"Why not sacrifice other people?" Solus's question cut through her thoughts, making her cringe.
"I'm not a murderer, you know? And my life isn't going to be some cult movie," she retorted.
"What's a murder-ur? Or a movie? Have you ever killed before?" Solus's innocent curiosity underscored the alien nature of this world. Sarah was reminded that, despite her past, she was now in a place where such concepts were foreign. The question, however, struck a nerve. She had killed, a soldier in a war on a distant planet. Those memories, though compartmentalized, were still a part of her.
"I have..." she conceded, "...and a murderer is a person who kills another for reasons that aren't justifiable by law. I was ordered to kill people by my country. It's a different matter entirely," she added, the justification sounding hollow even to her own ears.
"So you are a killer?" Solus asked, seemingly trying to categorize her.
"Yes... I suppose?" Sarah replied, her confidence wavering. Her mind raced with thoughts of the tower, its potential, and how to rebuild it. Why couldn't I have respawned in a cool castle? A fire mage with a flaming tower – that would have been epic. She mentally slapped herself. Focus, Sarah.
"Master?" Solus's voice was tinged with alarm. Even the murder door seemed concerned by her sudden shift in demeanor.
"I'm fine. Just snapping myself out of a daydream. That was a pretty good idea you mentioned, but you need to work on your phrasing. Plus, I have a few questions. You seem to be a bit hit-and-miss with information, so let's see how we do this time, shall we?" Sarah fixed Solus with a determined look.
"Er... Yes?" The golden features of the door seemed to quiver, a faint creak echoing from its ancient frame. Sarah resisted the urge to comment on the door's apparent embarrassment.
"Good, because I've got shit I need to know. Number one: How do I grant blessings? Two: What kind of blessings are we talking about? Healing, soul soothing, spirit walks? I need specifics if I'm going to convince people. Which brings us to point three: Where am I even supposed to find people willing to undertake such a risky endeavor? And finally, four: What's the mortality rate likely to be? Percentage-wise. If it's, like, 90%, we'll have to find another way to do this." Sarah needed answers, especially if she was going to turn this crazy, potentially deadly, scheme into reality.
