Steps Into the Unknown

Eren took a deep breath, the cold air biting his lungs as he stepped out of the Phantom Gate and onto the next floor. The Tower's layout shifted yet again, this time presenting a landscape far removed from the claustrophobic halls of stone and steel he'd grown used to.

The floor was a sprawling forest bathed in a soft, eerie twilight. The trees stood tall and ancient, their twisted branches forming a canopy that seemed to pulsate faintly with mana. Thin wisps of mist floated along the ground, obscuring his view of the floor's edges. The atmosphere was both haunting and strangely serene, but Eren couldn't afford to let his guard down.

His fingers brushed the hilt of his mana-infused knife, a comfort he didn't know he needed. The familiar hum of the weapon reassured him in this unfamiliar terrain.

A shimmering panel appeared in front of him, glowing softly.

Trial Parameters: Reconnaissance and Recovery

• Objective: Survey the forest and locate a marked artifact.

• Time Limit: 6 hours.

• Penalty: Forfeiture of tokens and immediate ejection to the previous floor.

Eren frowned, the weight of the task sinking in. "Reconnaissance," he muttered. "No combat, hopefully."

He took his first step forward, the ground beneath him soft with layers of moss. Every sound—his boots crunching against the forest floor, the distant rustle of leaves—felt amplified. He adjusted the straps of his pack, stocked with bare essentials: water, a basic ration, his knife, and the mana crystal he'd yet to use.

The forest wasn't silent. In the distance, faint chirps and guttural growls hinted at life within the mist. As he moved deeper into the floor, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Eren stopped abruptly. Ahead of him, a faint light blinked in and out, hovering above the ground. It flickered like a firefly but with an unnatural sharpness to its glow. He crouched low, moving cautiously toward it.

As he approached, the light darted further into the woods, leaving behind a faint trail. "A guide?" he thought aloud. The Tower rarely offered help without strings attached, but he had no other leads.

He followed the light through a winding path, ducking under low-hanging branches and stepping over gnarled roots. The mist grew denser, clinging to his clothes and obscuring his vision.

Then he heard it—a low, guttural growl behind him.

Eren froze, his grip tightening on his knife. He turned slowly, scanning the forest. The mist parted slightly, revealing the silhouette of a creature. It was large, quadrupedal, with glowing blue veins running along its muscular body. Its eyes were fixed on him, glowing the same eerie hue as the mist.

The creature stepped closer, its movements slow and deliberate.

"Not again," Eren muttered, his mind flashing back to his previous encounters with the Tower's monstrosities.

But then, the light he'd been following returned, this time hovering directly between him and the creature. It pulsed rhythmically, and to Eren's surprise, the beast halted. The two seemed to regard each other for a tense moment before the light darted back toward Eren, circling him once before shooting off deeper into the woods.

Eren didn't need a second hint. He bolted after the light, the sound of the creature's heavy footsteps fading as he put distance between them.

After what felt like an eternity of running, he emerged into a small clearing. At its center was an altar, similar to the one he'd seen on his first day in the Tower. Resting atop it was a glowing artifact—a crystalline sphere pulsing with the same light as his guide.

He approached cautiously, his heart still pounding from the chase.

Objective Complete: Artifact Located.

The panel's sudden appearance startled him.

"Is that it?" he murmured, reaching out to touch the artifact. The moment his fingers made contact, a surge of energy coursed through him.

A new panel appeared.

Floor Reward: Title 'Seeker' Acquired.

Those who wander into the unknown with purpose find strength in their curiosity.

Tokens Earned: 25

Eren let out a shaky breath. The title felt… different. Unlike "Survivor," which was a grim reminder of his constant battles, "Seeker" felt oddly encouraging. It was a small comfort in a place that offered little solace.

The light from the artifact dimmed, and the altar sank into the ground. A portal materialized where it had stood, swirling with energy.

Eren glanced back at the forest one last time before stepping through.

The next challenge awaited, and with every step, the Tower's mysteries grew deeper.

20 power stones and I'll give a bonus chapter

(good until chapter 50)

Every 50 collections bonus chapter

( good until chapter 50 )