Despite Marcus’s warning, the pair didn’t leave the settlement straight away. Upgrading Explorer’s Fountain Pen might’ve restored Bunty to full strength, but the events on the sixth floor had worn Gwyneth out. The sun had already crossed its apex in the sky, and they’d need to move at breakneck speed to get far from the settlement and set up camp. Bunty didn’t think Gwyneth could maintain such a pace. He might have upgraded his spirit a second time, but he needed time to update his summons and prepare a new one. Besides, the number of DeLawney crests had increased when they exited the alley. If they got followed and attacked, Bunty would be underprepared, and Gwyneth too exhausted to contribute to the defence. So, he declared they’d set out at first light, and she agreed.

Even though Gwyneth didn’t say anything, Bunty suspected she was mentally worn out too. She and Ashish had struck up a friendship while he was unconscious. The last thing they had seen was a spear ripping through one of his wings. They couldn’t be sure of his fate, but it was likely he didn’t get away. So, Bunty wanted to give Gwyneth time to recuperate. He could use the time to figure out the second Core’s upgrades and sort out a new summon.

Since the DeLawneys were looking for a pair and knew Gwyneth’s face better than his, Bunty left her at the closest inn and headed out on his own. She didn’t like the idea but didn’t fight him on it. Bunty was sure he’d have an easier time moving around the settlement alone. If required, he could use the Slimeskin to hide or evade pursuers too.

Much to Bunty’s surprise, the inkwell’s new colours didn’t have a tarry sheen like the black. So, he left his cloak with Gwyneth and summoned his coat in bright blue. Due to the seventh floor’s heat and intense sun, bright colours weren’t uncommon. The travellers stuck to the murky shades they wore on other floors, but the locals displayed various shades. Bunty spotted several whites, yellows, and a couple of light greens too. He couldn’t tell how they managed to keep the fabrics so clean, but it didn’t matter. When he willed it, the Slimeskin shifted to a paler hue of blue and then he fit right in.

As Bunty walked through the market street, he realised the new Core’s tempering was already taking effect. His hearing felt sharper than before. He wondered whether it would become comparable to Gwyneth’s vision with time. Then between them, they’d have two significant senses covered, and the likes of Edgar would never get the jump on them again. If Bunty found someone with a beast spirit, future climbing would become much more manageable. Most beast-types got an enhanced sense of smell through augmentation or summons.

The streets were abuzz with talk regarding an incident involving the Montagus. Some reported that a disgruntled employee had tried to disrupt one of their major contracts to sow distrust in the house. Others claimed the nobles were making an example of an independent business that attempted to dispute the trade tariffs. Dozens of more colourful rumours reached Bunty’s enhanced ears too. Fortunately, they only spoke of a solitary winged attacker and didn’t mention two hooded figures stowing away through a controlled gate. The pair hadn’t made enemies of the Montagus after all.

Food rations alone wouldn’t be enough for the journey through floors seven and eight. Both featured arid climates, forever-shifting dunes, and a blaring sun that spent most of the day-night cycle in the sky. So, after buying jerky, cheese, and bread, Bunty traded one of his cores for a specially crafted canteen. The Core planted at its base collected moisture from the air to fill the container. If he weren’t trapped in the tower, Bunty could’ve withdrawn money from the bank and bought two. Fortunately, neither he nor Gwyneth mind drinking from the same container.

When he got back to the inn, Gwyneth was snoring and fast asleep. Bunty pulled the covers up to her neck to cover the plump breast that had fallen out of her nightgown. The sight was a pleasant one, but he didn’t trust himself not to stare. Gwyneth didn’t seem to mind him looking or feeling her up, but it didn’t feel right. Bunty did find her attractive and liked her as a person too, but he wasn’t in the headspace to think of her as anything other than his climbing companion. The closeness and intimacy came naturally, though, and her company kept loneliness at bay. Bunty appreciated her moral support too, but he was too much of a mess for anything more.

The innkeeper sent a bowl of fragrant mutton curry and rice to the room for Bunty. Gwyneth had already eaten and ordered Bunty’s meal before going to bed. After finishing his meal, Bunty tried to busy himself with new summon designs, but his eyes kept drifting to Gwyneth’s sleeping form. It didn’t make a lot of sense to Bunty, but the closer she got to her, the more Victoria popped into his thoughts. He didn’t know what to think of the young noblewoman.

Gwyneth claimed he had unresolved feelings for Victoria. They weren’t just romantic but platonic too—she’d been the only constant female presence in his life, after all. Now that someone new was taking her place, he couldn’t help but feel guilty. Bunty thought she was talking out of her arse but let her stick to her hypothesis. Victoria may have risked her safety to facilitate her escape and paid for it afterwards, too, but that didn’t change everything else that had happened. Bunty just couldn’t trust her anymore, but that didn’t mean he intended Gwyneth to become her replacement.

After several minutes of restarting the same sketch, Bunty slapped himself, trying his best to concentrate. Bunty realised he was stuck in a loop. He needed the pen to create Slimeskin tentacles whenever he pleased, but that didn’t mean it needed to sit in the gauntlet all the time. Instead, Bunty designed a new version of the gauntlet that had two receptacles for the spirit. One under the wrist and another over it. The latest version let the gauntlet exist without the pen attached, and he could summon the spirit directly into either receptacle.

Bunty couldn’t tell whether it was an oversight on his end, or the summons had gained new capabilities with the latest upgrade. He could now summon the gauntlet onto either arm or both simultaneously without using a second summon slot. Best of all, Eirkh’s Core let Bunty create a sharpened edge where the curved guard ended. It jutted out an inch over the knuckles without getting in his fingers’ way. He could move the pens between either arm, positioning them wherever he pleased. When he did use the Frost Blade spell, he’d have the option of summoning it into whichever hand he had free.

Much to Bunty’s disappointment, he couldn’t create Spiderlegs straight out of his summons. After some experimentation, Bunty discovered that he needed to make them a part of the gauntlets or shape them out of amorphous Slimeskin. He could still grow them out of the nib, of course, but the Frost Blade spell made such a move redundant.

Finally, Bunty busied himself with his idea for the pen’s final summon slot. Bunty settled on a net. He could always change it, of course. He wanted to be prepared for powers similar to Edgar’s and couldn’t think of anything better. Eager to test the Spiderlegs, Bunty added them all around the net’s edge. He hoped they’d plant themselves in his targets’ flesh and whatever surfaces were nearby. It would either trap his opponent or leave them tangled and bleeding. He’d need to use it sparingly, though. The coat, dual gauntlets, and Gwyneth’s spear left him with only a fifth of his complete ink stores. When he summoned the net, only a tiny sliver remained. It was enough for a single tentacle at most. He could use it for mobility but immobilising an enemy with it would leave him drained.

Proper testing would have to wait until they were far from the settlement. So, Bunty changed into a nightshirt, shorts and crawled into bed next to Gwyneth. She wiggled into him and pulled his arm around her. Bunty exhaled deeply, considering pulling away since his head felt like a confusing mess. After some thought, he tightened his hold on Gwyneth and pulled her closer. It didn’t take long for the exhausting day to catch up to him, and Bunty found himself drifting off to sleep. Before the last conscious thought left him, Bunty resolved to focus on the now. Victoria needed to become a part of his past. That didn’t mean Gwyneth was a permanent fixture in his future, though. Thinking past the current interval didn’t make sense anymore.

Gwyneth woke Bunty the following morning while it was still dark outside. She was already dressed and ready to go, and the innkeeper had sent up breakfast too. They packed the recently purchased rations and washed the previous day’s filth off themselves. After some discussion, Gwyneth agreed to wear Bunty’s cloak and stuffed hers under the mattress. She kept the one purchased from the Climber’s Market in her satchel, though. It was much too expensive, and they’d need it on colder floors.

The seventh floor’s sun hadn’t yet risen when the pair headed out. Much to Bunty’s relief, the innkeeper and his staff didn’t consider their early rising odd. Most people venturing far from the hub started their journeys Before the sun could heat the sand and stone. Bunty and Gwyneth had just woken up earlier than most, and the matronly Indian woman thought it diligent. Since Bunty had paid the innkeeper handsomely—it was the last of his money, she was feeling generous and packed them lunches and skins full of a homemade brew.

The settlement’s guards and Montagu workers were up and about, but Bunty didn’t spot many DeLawneys. Either they were still in bed or had already left the hub. There were quite a few unaffiliated Climbers, though. Looking at the equipment they carried, Bunty guessed most of them were hunters or miners. They didn’t pay him much mind, so he did his best not to stare at Core-enhanced pickaxes and moved on.

Once out of the tower, Bunty considered upgrading his axe too. He hadn’t gotten the opportunity to test it on the sixth floor but suspected it would soon struggle again to cut through beasts as easily as it had before. The Frost Blade, in its current form, looked ideal for piercing but not slashing or chopping. Besides, Bunty didn’t want to rely on his spirit alone since dispelling and summoning it tired him out considerably. Meanwhile, a powerful Core in the axe wouldn’t just grant it a passive increase in durability, but hopefully, increase its cutting power too. Baba had never let him play around with enhanced tools since they were dangerous, but he had read about people manipulating a Core’s energy for powerful effects.

Heroic tales of past climbers featured individuals using a wind monster’s Core to increase their blade’s cutting power or setting their war hammers aflame with a salamander’s essence. Baba claimed the author owed the artisans the credit and not the wielders. They were the only ones that could add such empowerments to weapons. As long as he stuck to Gwyneth, Bunty wouldn’t need such upgrades any time soon. Gwyneth’s lighting-imbuement spell gave him plenty of offensive power. Neither he nor Gwyneth couldn’t wait to see the spirit’s performance in combat. Bunty looked forward to testing the net when trapping too. Once he wasn’t rushing after the twelfth floor, Bunty hoped to return to his favoured hunting methods.

Much to Bunty’s disappointment, one of the guards stopped him at the city’s gate. He stepped in front of Bunty, and his colleagues flanked them. Bunty’s heart leapt into his chest, and the temptation to call his summons forth became irresistible. Gwyneth’s knuckles turned white as she tightened her hold on the spear. Bunty spoke up before she acted hastily.

“How can I help you, lads?” Bunty asked, hoping his summoned pale-blue coat would hold up against their weapons. The spears appeared sharp but didn’t seem to have any Cores attached. The squishy bits were perfect for resisting blunt attacks. Perhaps a Stiffen command would sufficiently resist the thrusts.

“A bit early to leave the settlement, don’t you think?” The guard asked, leaning lazily on his staff. Meanwhile, the other two appeared ready to skewer Bunty or Gwyneth if they made the wrong move. The leading man looked Gwyneth up and down. “Where are you fine people heading?”

“Just escorting my employer to the closest gate,” Bunty said, smiling. “It’s a long way to go, and I was hoping we’d beat the sun.”

“There’s no beating the sun here, mate.” The guard smirked. “You should know that.” He refocused on Gwyneth. “Why don’t you hire a well-equipped party, miss?”

“Why do you care about how many people I hire?” Gwyneth asked, surprising Bunty. He didn’t think she’d go on the offensive. “Our business is no one’s but mine.”

The guard raised an eyebrow, looking between her and his colleagues. “We’ve had reports of young women disappearing in the sands after heading out with mysterious males. Considering the drama with the houses, we can’t be too careful. Which is why it’s important we find out—”

“That’s a flimsy excuse. Do you attempt these powerplays with everyone or just Climbers not wearing a house’s crest or colours?” Gwyneth’s eyes shone brilliantly under the hood as she spoke. Bunty wasn’t sure how she got them glowing in such a fashion, and it wasn’t the time to ask. “Has the local council hired you to keep the peace or harass people that might be bringing business to it?” Due to the hour, only a handful of people were on the streets, and they had paused to watch the exchange. “Would you prefer e not go out and waste our time filing a report with the guard captain? Perhaps the Montagus will want to know too? Or, is this an attempt at extracting a bribe?”

The guard’s back stiffened. He took a step back, looking past the pair at the many sets of eyes on them.

“For the record, I hired a third interval Climber because I trust him to be my guide more than a ragtag party desperate to make a living,” Gwyneth declared. “I know its more expensive, but that doesn’t bother my backers and shouldn’t concern you either. If we start now, we can get through the Wild Dunes and reach the Krishna’s Oasis before the sandworms are awake and hungry. Should I continue?”

“No, miss,” the man replied, abandoning his confident tone. “There’ve been suspicious people around, is all.” He stepped out of the pair’s way. “You’re free to go.”

Gwyneth marched forward with a confident stride, and Bunty followed her, trying his best to maintain an impassive expression. As they walked away from the gate, the temptation to look over his shoulder got stronger. He could feel the guards’ eyes on their back. Bunty was sure he was as shaken by her like them. After years with the DeLawneys, it was a given that she’d know how to deal with people on power trips. Her focus had been on laying low and avoiding notice. Ever since they entered the sixth floor, though, Gwyneth had started showing her true colours.

The seventh floor’s hub sat amidst a dense oasis. According to the FTF’s guidebook, the local council kept threatening beasts out of it and discouraged unapproved parties from harvesting its resources. The only sources of fresh water and produce came from the oasis. They couldn’t afford to let travellers strip the oasis of its riches. Bunty admired the tall trees and the critters flitting about them. He understood why someone would want to set up a settlement in such a place. Bunty hoped to do the same someday.

Once they were far enough from the gates, Gwyneth burst out laughing. She clutched Bunty’s shoulder, leaning against him. “That felt good,” she said. “You have no idea how difficult it is keeping shut in those kinds of situations.”

“You should take the lead more often,” Bunty said. “You have no idea how much I hate talking to people and keeping up the façade of niceness. That was Alexander’s game. I always preferred sitting on the sidelines.”

“Yeah, right.” Gwyneth laughed. “You know how to talk to people and get things done.”

“That’s not me, though. Lord Graham wanted his heir to learn the family’s dealings and dragged his spawn along. Alexander hated every second along, so I followed as his faithful companion. When you hear me smooth-talking and greasing palms, that’s me channelling the Boleyns.” Bunty sighed, thinking back to the times Lord Graham would shout at them to keep silent and pay attention. “I’m just pretending.”

“Wear an identity long enough. You’ll eventually stop pretending.”

“That’s almost intelligent,” Bunty said. “Who said that?”

Gwyneth looked at him with her brow all scrunched up. “I just did.”

The pair looked over their shoulders. They spotted a couple of other groups heading through the oasis’s trees. Bunty spotted a couple of pickaxes in one group, followed by a wide-set fellow carrying a giant bone club. He guessed they were prospectors accompanied by a bodyguard. Several Climbers made their living by seeking out valuable minerals and gems. The sandworms and reptiles made their trade risky, but the rewards were significant. The second group wore white and yellow and made a beeline for the dunes, heading away from Bunty towards the rising sun. It hadn’t appeared yet, but the first rays already illuminated the sky.

“Which way?” Gwyneth asked. “We’re not heading towards any Salt Flats, are we?”

Bunty shook his head. “No.” He got the FTF’s compass and guidebook out. Unlike on the previous floors, the arrow didn’t point at the closest gate but towards the jagged, red rocks to the north, beyond the dunes. He tallied the information with the guidebook’s map, locating the two closest gates. They both sat in two FTF mining operations. “We’ll decide which of the two to target once here,” he said, tapping a circle marked with D. “There appears to be a DeLawney installation on the way. Once we’ve figured out what the hell they’re up to, we’ll decide which way to go.”

“Why don’t we go for this one?” Gwyneth asked, pointing at another FTF camp closer to their position.

“I’d rather risk the rocks and the lizards than the worms,” Bunty answered, tracing a line between their current location and Gwyneth’s finger. “It’s all sand. We’ll be trekking up and down unstable dunes, and all the dangers are either below or over us. Besides, constant exposure to the sun will dehydrate and tire us out quicker.” He tapped on the crags. “It’s a longer route, and we might have to weave between the rocks, but it’ll be safer. The lizard creatures will have to fight us at close range, and the bats won’t bother us until nightfall.”

“I suppose it’s not a much longer journey, as the crow flies. Are you sure about this?” She read aloud from the guidebook. “The uneven terrain makes isn’t favourable for the terrain. The local reptiles and arachnids are incredibly territorial and will hunt their prey relentlessly. Travelling along the marked routes is recommended.” Gwyneth’s shoulders drooped. “I don’t like the sound of this.”

“I went through the floor guide, cover to cover. The marked path weaves through supposed safe-spots in the worm territories, but it’s going to be full of other Climbers. We’ll have to avoid it anyway.” Bunty sighed. “I, of course, can’t predict what’s going to happen, but I believe it’s our best bet. The Slimeskin tentacle will make traversing the terrain a breeze. Besides, rarely explored regions tend to yield the best Cores.”

“Fine.” Gwyneth sighed. The pair picked up the pace and stepped off the oasis’s firm ground onto the sand. It wasn’t going to be easy, but Bunty had high hopes. After all, they had allies on the floor.