BXBX NOVEL Chapter 154: Tower of Death - Entering the tower
The Tower of Death - Drakkur (The Centre of the fractured continents)
The Ocean of Faith - Romanica (South of the Great Divide)
The Temple of Pain - East of the Monster Kingdoms
The Dungeon of Rebirth -???? (North of the Demon Empire)
The Forest of the Hunt - Western continent, Elven territory.
Each of the five realms seemed part of someone's design, with each direction and continent home to one of the great challenges.
Once entering one of these realms, they must survive the various challenges and dangers within, and through this, they would grow not only in strength but as a person.
However, upon completion, the knowledge of what they encountered and the trials they faced are completely wiped from the person's memory.
'This seems to be the same, and there aren't any changes from my knowledge before death. However, they didn't seem to exist when Auros fought against Silvara and Romanica.'
Asura stood at the entrance with his eyes focused on the twisting black vortex, lightning and bubbles forming on the surface as visions of a lonely tower appeared inside the portal.
"Excuse me, princess, my name is Ruben Davan, son of Marquis Davan, and offer my greetings." A male with fiery red hair and freckles stopped Vela as she tried to catch up to Asura, who moved with cat-like agility once they arrived. He was handsome, but nothing world-changing despite his ego and pride seeming to think so. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
My father and I would love to have you over for tea sometime, so do not hesitate when requesting a meeting."
"I appreciate the thought, Sir Ruben. It's a pleasure."
He offered his hand, but the princess didn't take it, giving a short and polite bow before walking past him. Then he leaned closer. "It would be an honour to have such a fine beauty in our mansion."
"That is not something I need, Sir Ruben."
"No need for formalities." He said, still holding out his hand. "Ruben is fine."
"As I said, it's not needed." Vela then reached out and grasped the arm of Asura, a display that many saw, including common folk and nobles. This event became a small Drakkur festival with songs, dance and food. The reason? To celebrate the life and death of those entering the tower and to pray for their return.
The news would soon reach the capital, and countless people would leave, wishing to see the princess's adventure.
As for Ruben?
He stood there, his face red and his fist clenched, his anger at the public humiliation almost making him explode. Yet the anger turned to Asura, not the princess, because it's easier to hate a man than the pretty woman he wanted to court.
"You're dead!" His lips mouthed before turning away and standing in the waiting area with a huff.
While the pair waited, they remained quiet because Vela was nervous and realised she would face the tower alone despite holding onto Asura this tightly. Her eyes became serious while wanting to cry, yet she felt the grip tighten, making her look up and into the smiling eyes of her lover.
"I'm scared." She whispered.
"So am I." He replied with a whisper. Whether he said it just to calm her, his gentle eyes and smile made her believe the words.
"I want you with me." She whispered, her eyes becoming wet.
"I am with you." He replied.
She wanted to say something, but he placed his forehead against hers, their noses touching. "Always, as long as I am in your heart, then I am with you."
Her mouth opened, but the words wouldn't come.
"I won't forget you, Asura."
Her hands trembled.
"I will never forget you."
The tears came, and she hugged him tightly, burying her head against his neck and crying softly.
"I won't let go. Please, don't make me."
"Silly girl, everyone is watching you cry like a spoilt little cat..." He said, hugging her gently.
"I don't care."
"I guess you can't return to being the haughty beauty now." He joked.
"Then don't leave me. Or I'll beat you up."
While the pair enjoyed each other's humour and company, another person stepped close. Although this girl didn't seem aggressive or angry, she stood close to them and waited until they stopped flirting.
"I'm sorry, Miss," Asura spoke first.
"It's okay. I know you are special to the Princess, but can I have a moment?" She said, her voice sweet but a little timid.
"Sure... Miss?"
"Cil, Cil Mavis!" She introduced herself, her face blushing slightly. "I'm a normal commoner from the Phoenix Glade and a new adventurer, but I lack experience. So I wanted to ask you some questions, if possible."
"Ah, sure. But you don't need to be so formal." He chuckled.
"Um, are you the Earl of Fenix?" Cil asked.
"Huh? Why do you ask that?"
"Because your face is different, and you speak in a more polite tone, even to a commoner like me, than I imagined."
"I've never been good with that sort of thing. I'd rather talk without all the unnecessary formality." Asura's arms wrapped around Vela's back because he could feel her jealousy growing. The girl was lovely, with a small face, round cheeks, and lovely pink fluffy hair. He couldn't help but wonder why she became an adventurer when she would have her pick of suitors.
"I never thought so. Everyone in the Phoenix Glade spoke about how..."
"How I was a no-mag, or maybe useless?"
"A little..."
"It's okay. I got used to it." Asura smiled gently. "But don't worry. If you have any problems, I'll assist you."
"Are you sure?"
"Since you are one of my people, I will help you as much as possible."
"Thanks. But what about the Princess?"
"Hmmm? The Princess has nothing to do with it, right?"
"Of course. Anyway, thank you." She seemed to freeze for a moment, showing a look of reluctance, then gave a light bow and moved back to her friends, a group of four girls that watched everything.
"What did she want?" Vela spat with a pouting face, hiding her face in his chest.
"She wants some pointers."
"Pointers?"
"Yeah, she's a new adventurer and lacks confidence. I told her I'd help."
"Why are you helping her?"
"I'm her liege, so it's natural."
"I see..." She paused for a moment. "Is she pretty?"
"She's a cute girl, but her looks are nothing compared to the Princess."
"Hmm..." Vela's face didn't lose the pouting look. "I forbid you from seducing other women...!"
"I'm a guy. It's not my fault they throw themselves at me."
"Don't blame others." She hissed.
"Fine, I promise not to sleep with her."
"You can't sleep with others!"
"Only you?"
"Hah!?"
When she realised he won the small skirmish of words, her face became bright red. Her small hands tapped his chest as she pulled away.
Verana and other women who seemed to understand could only chuckle before Asura did something that made everyone gasp.
He entered the portal, not even waiting or looking back.
****
⁜ The world of death Asura POV
Asura didn't enter for any special reason. He just felt like avoiding troubles with the annoying males and the female that tried to seduce him, as he felt the magical tethers reaching for his head when she flicked her skirt.
'A genius girl that tried to manipulate the Earl... Pink haired girls are always sluts!'
After a few moments, the vortex spat him out into the tower, his body tumbling across the floor before his face collided with the hard stone. "Ow... Damn, why the hell does this happen every time?"
His hand slapped the ground, his palm smashing while grumbling.
'Damn, why do I keep doing this? If I die again, many women will be sad. Wait, what happens when someone dies in the tower?'
The place felt colder. The darkness and gloom surrounding the tower gave him a chill. Asura looked around, his eyes moving from one thing to another as he tried to find anything suggesting what he needed to do.
A distorted landscape prevented him from relaxing, and the eerie silence and cold air didn't help.
'Nothing seems out of place.'
Asura rose, his hands dusting his clothes and checking the pouch containing a few items. The most important being an endless water canteen and a few survival items. He knew this world wouldn't be easy, and the rumours said there were 100 floors.
"Where are the monsters?" He asked, the blood rain outside filling the tower's air with an earthy taste of copper and iron.
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As he walked, the sound of his boots echoing against the stone, the world changed, his vision changing, and the tower transforming into a large cave with glowing moss illuminating the path.
'Is this the test? Or maybe it reflects my heart and mind?'
Because he knew this cave well, it was the time he almost lost Xavida against the Stage Four monster from the abyss.
The moment he came to this conclusion, footsteps sounded behind him and the sound of other existences moving through the tunnel.
'This is the test... I must pass by myself. It's not about how many I can kill, but whether I can survive...'
He could hear the monster's breathing.
That irritating sound caused his blood to boil as he removed his sword-lance Lumeris Nova and prepared for battle; this time, he wouldn't lose or get crushed by the pressure!
"Come!" He roared, his feet pounding the stone as the distance between them closed. Then a monster burst into view, its dark purple eyes and the long white hair covering its face. A monster that resembled himself... when he used Liberacíon.
"I am you..." the creature snarled, its long tongue hanging out.
"Fuck you, asshole." He laughed, his lance moving and striking the creature's hand as it swung at him. "I'm not the same weakling I was back then!"
"Weak, you're weak. I'll eat you!" It shrieked, its hands grasping and swiping at him. The sheer force caused loud howling winds to fill the cave, and the air pressure became unbearable. "Eat! Eat! EAT!"
"You're just a puppet! A reflection of the past."
Asura's hand reached forward, his palm placed on the creature's face; before an explosion of magic burst from his palm, he collected anima inside his hand and cast a deadly fire spell, exploding at close range, burning his palm slightly. However, the spell caused the monster to burn and his body to vanish.
As the flames disappeared, the creature was gone.
'This is the beginning, but is it the true start of this trial? What comes next?'
His thoughts didn't remain long. The sound of movement caused his heart to beat faster.
"Weak, you are weak!" Once again, the same figure appeared; he would fight himself again, only this time the creature's strength was Stage Two."