12. Enter The Tower

The receptionist entered the last of their information and clicked something on her interface. She looked them over and smiled. “You are now formally registered as a party. Bear in mind that, from the System’s perspective, this is purely for the Tower’s convenience. Party members can harm each other, and are not granted any buffs or debuffs for being in a party. Party members can see each other on interactive maps, if the Tower has not disabled such maps in the area. Please keep this in mind before doing anything… untoward.

“Speaking of which, please resolve internal conflicts yourself. We do not provide counseling services. If you wish to exit the party, please indicate so on your System interface. Similarly, party members can be added through the System. Give the System up to twenty-four hours to apply the change in party composition.

“Only party leaders can dissolve parties. A dissolved party cannot be reformed within the Tower, nor can new parties be formed. Parties can only be created at the reception desk. Single climbers can join an existing party without leaving the Tower if they so desire. However, anyone wishing to reform a party or create a new party must return to the reception desk.”

Glancing over her glasses, the receptionist took in their party. “Are there any questions?”

"Nope," Jude said.

N. Kaidu shook his head.

"I think we're good," Rowan said politely.

She nodded. "Remember, you cannot exit the Tower until you conquer a floor. Once you conquer a floor, you cannot re-enter it, you must progress to the next floor.

"There is no safety net. From this point forward, you take your life into your own hands. Murder and other capital crimes remain illegal on floor one, but this will not be the case on higher floors. At the moment you step into the Tower, you agree not to hold the System, Tower staff, or any of their affiliates accountable for any injury, traumatic events, or death.

"Obey any orders given by Enforcers and mind the Tower's rules. Different floors have different rules, and disobedience can and will be punished by Enforcers, up to and including death."

Her eyes flashed over her glasses. "Do you agree?"

The three of them nodded.

She pressed a button. A much larger door appeared out of the wall, wide as a double door and as thick as a bank vault. Darkness awaited them on the other side.

The receptionist gestured. "Proceed to the first floor."

Rowan stepped forward. No point waiting. I don't have a home to go back to.

N. Kaidu followed, close on his heels. Jude hesitated. "Right now? Are you sure? In flip-flops?"

Rowan glanced at his feet. Oh, right. He hesitated, the dark void gaping before him. "You're right. I should--"

"No time like the present," N. Kaidu declared. A firm hand at his waist propelled Rowan forward.

"Wait, I--" Rowan reached out and grabbed N. Kaidu. Startled, N. Kaidu lurched forward. They tumbled into the void together.

"Guys!" Jude reached out for them.

Black swallowed them up. The reception office vanished, leaving only darkness. Rowan held tight to N. Kaidu’s jacket. Strong hands grabbed his arms. Together, they fell into the darkness.

--

Rowan thumped down into a thick bush. Thin, scratchy branches crunched under him, scraping his skin, and then he smacked into the ground. N. Kaidu’s weight slammed down on top of him, flattening him to the ground. All the air left Rowan’s lungs in a wheeze. He shoved at N. Kaidu, eyes shut tight against the prickly branches. “Get… off…”

Slowly, fighting the branches, N. Kaidu climbed off Rowan. Rowan sucked in a breath and fought his way blindly out of the bush. At last, he faced no more resistance, and he opened his eyes.

A thick forest stretched around them. Trees marched in all directions. Little saplings sprung up around their roots, fresh green leaves stretching for the sun. Vines coiled around trees, and scrubby plants tangled underfoot.

“I thought we were supposed to climb the Tower, not fall into it,” Rowan commented dryly.

Looking around at the thick vegetation, N. Kaidu gestured. “You’re a Gardener, right? Prune the way.”

“I don’t have any spells! Even if I did, would one be pruning?” Rowan ridiculed.

“You have four skill points, don’t you? You leveled up in the square back there, four times. I counted,” N. Kaidu said.

“I… it’s rude to scan someone without asking,” Rowan protested.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” N. Kaidu returned.

Rowan stared at him. Is it okay to openly admit that? Isn’t that kind of rude?

A thought came to him, and he put a hand to his chin. “Wait, then… you saw me rapidly level up. You know…” That I hacked. Or did something else weird. “Are you okay with that?”

“The System is stacked against support classes. Whatever you do to gain levels, whatever you exploit, I won’t judge you.”

“Oh,” Rowan said, surprised. Most people get angry when they hear about hacking. I didn’t expect him to be okay with it.

“Well? Go on.”

Rowan glanced up. “Is Jude coming?”

Unbothered, N. Kaidu shrugged. He watched Rowan expectantly, leaning against a nearby tree.

Sighing, Rowan called up the System interface. Nothing I can do but give in and level up properly.