Gathering Points [2]

"What are your thoughts on the timer we were given?" 

Lionel stayed silent in response to my question. 

A thoughtful look crossed his face, and I could see he was pondering the meaning behind my inquiry. 

"I don't know any more about this world than you do, but I can't believe this is just a dream. Everything so far has been too real."

Lionel nodded in agreement.

"That's why I believe the tower challenge wasn't lying when it said we'd die in three days if we don't reach the next floor."

Lionel reacted this time.

"But don't we have enough time?" he asked, confused. "We're just outside the outskirts of the forest, and it's already pretty dangerous. Don't you think entering the forest is an unnecessary risk?"

His point was valid, from an uninformed perspective.

"And what makes you think we have enough time?"

Lionel was taken aback.

"What do you mean—"

I didn't let him finish.

"Do you think we have enough time because of that bright pillar of light and the three-day timer?"

Though he didn't respond, the expression on Lionel's face showed that this was exactly what he thought.

"So what makes you think that pillar of light is the next floor?"

A look of shock crossed Lionel's face.

"But—"

"But what if it is?" 

Lionel halted the rebuttal that was about to escape his lips.

"But what if it isn't?"

This time, Lionel had no response and spoke in defeat.

"What exactly are you thinking?"

'Good.'

"Like you, I also have some understanding of this place, and because of that, it's risky to jump to conclusions."

Lionel stayed silent, so I continued.

"The main thing that stands out in this place is that pillar of light. Sure, but is there anything that says it's the 'next floor'?"

Lionel's face showed a look of realisation as he began to understand my point.

'He's a little slow.'

"Who knows if there's something we have to do when we get there to reach the 'next floor'. If this is the case and we end up wasting time, I'm not sure what will happen to us."

"If that strange panel wasn't lying, then we'll die."

Lionel's expression turned serious at the mention of death.

"You're right," he admitted. "But what does this have to do with us entering the forest? It's still dangerous, no?"

Nodding my head, I responded.

"I understand your worries, but you have to remember we aren't the same anymore."

As I spoke, I gestured with my eyes toward the purple pond in the distance.

A look of realisation appeared on Lionel's face again.

"While it's still risky for us to enter the forest since we don't know what to expect, I think it's better to do so to save time."

"Save time?"

"Yes, save time. This forest is huge, and if we circle around it to reach the pillar of light, it would take much longer."

"Entering the forest and approaching it in a straight line will save us time."

Lionel nodded in understanding.

In fact, this was my original plan but with a slight change this time.

Slight might be an understatement, though.

I did plan that after strengthening ourselves with the mana water here, we would enter the forest to speed up our ascent through the tutorial levels. 

Originally, the plan was to stay close to the outskirts of the forest, not venture deep inside.

But now, things were different.

I planned to go deep into the forest. 

Like the purple pond, the forest could also provide something that would increase our strength.

Points. 

This wasn't going to be effective in the first level of the tutorial, but it would later. 

One could call it a long-term investment.

Initially, I was planning to concentrate on gathering Points in the third level while using the first and second levels to increase our strength so we don't get bullied by the tower residents or worse, killed. 

Our stats now were pretty much slightly above average among the tower residents, but like us, they could also grow in this tutorial. 

With conditions like this, one could only imagine how strong the outsiders that actually survived to climb the towers are. 

Points could be gotten from killing monsters and quests. 

In the tower, points were the currency. 

They weren't going to be useful until the fourth level though, but now that our strength was at a certain level, there were some things I could do till then. 

If everything goes as planned, the strength I'd acquire in the end would be stronger than the original Lionel in the novel at the same level. 

Bump! Bump!

I could feel my heart beating in anticipation and excitement. 

Aside from gathering Points in the forest, there were also opportunities to be gained. 

Opportunities the original Lionel had and the ones he missed. 

Opportunities the previous me was okay not having in exchange for bigger ones. 

However.

Right now. 

I wanted to have them all. 

"Let's go." 

"Yes." 

As I and Lionel got ready to enter the forest, I turned to glance at the purple pond. 

This was the very foundation of the changes of my plans and change in my mindset. 

Now that I think about it. 

'It seems like the original owner of this opportunity wouldn't lose it after all.'