The auction house was packed as usual. Gently, Ethan pushed his way through the throng of people to reach one of the auctioneers only to find a long line.

Fuck I hate this place. He thought to himself after ten minutes of being in line and barely moving. As the line slowly crawled forward he reflected over his encounter with Sam. His stomach was still twisted in knots from the sense of betrayal, but he tried to console himself that Sam had been honest with him and that the situation was handled. What he really needed was a second opinion of the situation, but he had no idea where David was and he was stuck in a line that moved at a glacial pace

Twenty minutes later he finally got the front of the line.

“Good afternoon. Will you be buying or selling today?” A bored looking middle aged woman with glasses, her voice monotone as she greeted him, barely looked up at him from the papers she had on her desk.

“Umm.. buying.” He said somewhat distractedly.

“Use the book on the left then.” She continued her paperwork but pointed to the large tome on the left side of her desk. Ethan knew the one on his right was for listing auctions for sale.

Just like with the vendor interface, time slowed down for him. The sudden silence seemed deafening after the loudness of the auction house. In front of him, the auctioneer moved in slow motion as she wrote and moved paperwork around.

Ethan began swiping through menu options, nearly all of his gear needed to be upgraded, but he started with his missing rings and earrings.

Pages and pages and pages of options loaded into the interface. Most of them were either completely wrong stats or were too high of a level requirement for him to use at the moment. As he added filters to narrow down his search, the options shrank.

As he had expected, the still several pages of rings he could use were insanely overpriced for what they were. For 3g he ended up selecting two more of the Strength Rings he’d found in the guild bank. To him, Constitution was just as valuable as Strength at the moment, it let him Enrage for longer which provided a great damage boost.

Looking through earrings, he thought about a slightly different stat allocation than usual. With his new spell, he needed just a little bit more Intelligence. Not usually a stat Fighters wanted, but his mana pool and spell damage were lower due to him not having a high Intelligence.

Not surprisingly, there were no options with both Strength and Intelligence. But there was an interesting one with a bonus effect.

Vampiric Earring

Quality: Good - Magical

+4 Intelligence

5% damage dealt is returned to the wearer as healing.

100g! Shit that’s more than I like to spend this early! Even with the slower time, Ethan debated for a while on the earring. The auctioneer shuffled through multiple stacks of papers while he tried to make a decision. Ultimately, the self healing was just too good to pass up. He didn’t have any other way to heal himself outside of potions or stopping to eat. Even the measly 5% heal could end up being a lifesaver.

He continued for several more minutes selecting better armor for every slot he had, prioritizing Strength and Constitution as much as he could. He also bought several Greater Healing options. When he’d made all his decisions, he hit “Purchase” and 480 gold was deducted from his inventory. The equipment he’d purchased would be waiting in the mailbox at his guild hall when he returned home.

Closing the auction interface returned time to normal, the sudden return of sound roared in his ear drums momentarily disorienting him.

“Find everything you needed?” The monotone voice of the auctioneer brought him back to his senses. She still hadn’t looked up from whatever paperwork an NPC auctioneer had.

“Yes. Thank you.” He responded politely.

“Good. Have a nice day.” Her deadpan reply was dismissive as she lazily waved him away.

Satisfied with his purchases, but with significantly less gold than he’d originally had, Ethan made his way back through the throngs of players crowding the auction house.

Having not ever played a Fighter to this level before, he wasn’t sure if he was missing any new abilities. None had appeared on his character sheet, so he wasn’t missing any physical type attacks. But if an ability had a magic component, he needed to find a trainer to learn it from. Casters always had to find trainers when they leveled up. They wouldn’t just “know” how to cast Fireball after advancing, that just wasn’t how the magic system was set up. It also meant that the primarily magic using classes wouldn’t have to overload their character sheets with dozens of spells they’d never cast.

Weaving his way down through streets and cross sections, Ethan reflected on his talk with Sam. He’d been so focused purchasing upgrades that he hadn’t had time to doubt his handling of it before. Now, with a long walk ahead of him, he began to doubt himself.

Was he lying to me? Anxiety and paranoia tainted the feeling of closeness that he’d shared with his friend when he left. Is he working with Kevin now? No fuck that. Sam and I have been friends since before Kevin joined us.

He tried to reassure himself that Sam had been honest with him, that he wanted to work together still. Disorder was a group of friends working towards the same end, getting them all home. But at any time, they were free to leave. Is this when Sam leaves us?

Ethan’s anxiety over the situation grew as he walked. He was so distracted that he hadn’t even realized he’d walked past the barracks that housed the Fighter trainers by several blocks.

Shaking himself free from his distraction the moment, he backtracked to the large stone building.

Just like the Auction House, the Fighter’s Barracks had been rebuilt to accommodate the influx of players. Ethan had no idea what it originally looked like, but as he approached the two story walls he couldn’t help feel impressed by the scale of the improvements. Outside the wall, NPC and Player combatants practiced sparing to hone their skills. He could see through the raised wrought iron portcullis a large courtyard full of more sparring circles. NPCs that served as guards for the town went through rigorous training within the halls of the barracks.

Grunts of exertion followed by thuds of weapons striking armor and shields rang out around him as he walked through the active open area. Nervously he stopped and scanned the area for any indicator of who he should approach for training.

“Can I help you sir?” He turned abruptly at the small voice coming from behind him. A young girl with dark skin had walked up behind him. She wore an oversized chain mail shirt and carried a spear that was much taller than she was. A shield was slung over her back and under her arm she carried a battered helm that looked to be two sizes too big for her.

“I said, can I help you, sir.” Her voice was determined as she repeated her question.

“Sorry,” Ethan said. “I’m here for some training.”

The girl let out a mocking laugh as she appraised him.

“In that?” She paused as she laughed harder. “A dandy like you will get the shit kicked out of you up and down the pitch.”

Ethan looked down at his clothes, feeling his cheeks and ears go red with embarrassment. He was still wearing his regular clothes. Compared to everyone else in the barracks he must have looked ridiculous.

“I’ve got my armor in my bag.” Ethan said defensively.

The girl eyed the small travel satchel slung across his chest.

“Just bring some pants then? It’s a small bag, innit?” Her tone continued to be mocking as she chuckled.

“It’s bigger than it looks.” Ethan said defensively.

“Right, well then, I’ll point you to the Battlemaster and maybe he can learn you something.” She gestured to a short, but very wide, dwarf who stood with his arms crossed over his chest observing one of the many sparring matches going on around them. “Course, he may just laugh at you.”

Keeping with the high fantasy theme, the world of The Tower was filled with non human races. Dwarves, Elves, Orc, Dragonborn. All could be found in the far reaches of the game. Startesgarde, being a primarily player town, was mostly populated by humans. Players didn’t have access to any other race. Ethan had heard rumors from other people that one of the boons from clearing one of the major floors would be a race unlock, but privately he hoped it wasn’t true. Adding in new races would just complicate the random system of class “choice”. He didn’t want to have to play as a random race just to play a class he liked.

The small child began jogging off towards the Battlemaster and Ethan quickly followed.

“M’Lord, Torben.” The girl stopped and bowed her head, saluting her with fist across her chest to the dwarf, their height was not much different. “Got another one here to see you. Says he needs some “training”.”

The older dwarf briefly turned his head at Ethan and his guide before returning his view to the match he’d been observing. Two very large and very heavily armored combatants were going at each other with swords and shields.

“Thank you Valda. Back to your training.” Battlemaster Torben dismissed the girl abruptly. Valda saluted again and jogged away

“And you.” He didn’t look away from the session in front of him. “Another Adventurer in need of some training? Hmph.” He snorted derisively at Ethan.

“You show up thinking you’re the hottest shit in a field full of shit baking in the noon sunlight.” Finally he turned and looked at Ethan, appraising him in a quick scan.

“You want to learn how to fight? Then fight.” He waved in the direction of the practice rings around them. “And maybe I’ll see if you’re worth teaching something to.”

The sparring match Torben had been watching came to an abrupt end before Ethan could respond. One of the two fighters had knocked the other to the ground and stood over them, training sword hovering above their defeated foe’s chest.

“Yield! Yield!” The trainee’s cries of mercy were muffled by their heavy metal helmet.

“Enough!” Torben roared at the victor. Ethan watched as the fighter still on their feet stabbed their practice sword into the ground and removed their helmet. A woman with short cropped hair smiled smugly at her defeated foe before helping them to their feet. “Well fought! Two more forward!”

Two more heavily armored combatants stepped forward to spare as the woman and her foe exited the ring.

“I’m here for training and if fighting is how I get it, fine.” Ethan was defiant. Never before had he had any trouble getting a trainer to help him advance his skills, but he’d also only gotten casters or Paladins far enough to need it. The other trainers he’d been involved with had been much more pious or scholarly and welcoming to the idea of teaching new Adventurers.

“Aye. You will. In pit number two.” The Battlemaster gestured in the direction Valda had just run off in.

Ethan looked at the marked fighting ring.

“But those are children.” He was shocked. Pit number two was filled with adolescents in chain mail, none of them looked older than twelve.

“Aye.” Torben grunted at him. “And maybe you can keep up with them.”

“Fine.” Ethan had no choice but to accept the challenge. “Give me a minute to get my armor on.”

“No.” The Battlemaster turned and faced him directly for the first time. A long scar ran down vertically down his face, carving through his left eye leaving it milky. His nose looked to have been broken countless times and he was completely bald. “You show up dressed like that, you fight like that.”

Ethan was stunned. He wore only leather pants and a linen shirt, not at all prepared for any sort of combat.

“You expect me to fight unarmored? How’s that fair?” He said.

“You’re fighting wee children and you’re worried about it being fair?” Torben snorted at him again. “You’ll fight as you’re told or you won’t learn from me or anyone here.”

Once again, Ethan was in a place of not having any choice with the Battlemaster.

“Fine. Do I at least get a weapon, or am I going to punch a bunch of kids?” His defiance rising again.

“Aye, you’ll get a practice sword. And that’s it.” Torben turned and walked towards pit two, and the children Ethan was supposed to fight. Wordlessly, Ethan followed.

Two youths were already sparing when they arrived. Torben continued into the ring, grabbing a practice sword as he entered. Ethan paused at the edge, unsure of what he was supposed to do. The young boys and girls eyed him awkwardly.

“Halt!” Torben roared at the two children fighting. Instantly they both stopped their maneuvers and saluted him with respect. He dismissed them both with pats on their shoulders and Ethan thought he heard Torben mutter “well done” in an encouraging tone.

“Valda, forward!” The girl who’d escorted Ethan earlier marched forward into the ring, saluting her Battlemaster with her sword.

“The lad you brought me is here for training.” He gestured at Ethan with contempt. “I would like you to teach him his first lesson.”

With one hand Torben beckoned Ethan forward, tossing the practice sword in the ground at his feet with the other.

Ethan picked up the sword and walked into the sandy ring. He had several inches and at least seventy pounds on the girl. His strength was currently at 44, any hits he landed on her would be devastating. Even with a practice weapon. I’ll have to go easy on her. I don’t want to kill this child.

As Battlemaster Torben exited the ring, Ethan took a few swings with the sword. He’d used them before as a Paladin, but hadn’t swung one since he’d respawned. His opponent flourished her own sword expertly as he took his place.

What the fuck am I doing? Ethan barely had time for any thoughts before Torben’s voice roared from the sidelines.

“Begin!”

Lightning fast the tip of Valda’s sword shot forward, forcing Ethan to dodge to the right. He charged forward, swinging his sword over his head. Valda parried his attack with her own sword and followed up by slamming her shield into him. Ethan staggered back a step.

Valda swung her weapon again, swiping at his legs. Stinging pain shot through his calf. Ethan swung his sword wide, trying to even score one hit. Valda easily deflected the blow with her shield. She swiped again at him with the flat of her blade, catching him in the side of the head.

I can’t even hit her! Ethan was starting to get frustrated that he couldn’t even land a blow on his opponent. Every time he attacked, she blocked or parried and hit him with her sword.

After several more minutes, and countless strikes against him, Ethan swung low hoping to catch her in the legs. Valda easily parried his attack, knocking his sword out of his hand. Shocked, Ethan didn’t have time to react as she jabbed forward with her shield. The edge of it catching him in the chest knocking him to the ground.

Gasping for breath, he heard Battlemaster Torben shout from the sidelines:

“Enough. Valda has triumphed.”

Well that was bullshit. Ethan lay panting in the sand of the fighting pit. His limbs ached from the beating he’d just received. Around him, Torben’s trainees were dispersing, but the Battlemaster hadn’t moved. Trying to hide his pain, he got to his feet picking up the practice sword as he stood.

“Lad. You are in desperate need of training.” Battlemaster Torben said, no emotion in his voice.

“That’s literally why I came here.” Ethan dusted sand from his clothes. He wasn’t sure what lesson he was supposed to have learned from being beaten by a twelve year old girl, but if pop culture had taught him anything, it was probably humility.

“First lesson. Getting beaten is bad. In a real fight you’d have been dead.” He uncrossed his arms as he spoke. “You hurting?”

Ethan nodded in response, not trusting he wouldn’t come off sarcastic if he said anything.

“Good. Focus on that pain, feel it deep in the muscles. Now take a deep breath.” Torben breathed deeply, mimicking breathing with his arms. “Concentrate on expelling the pain along with your breath.”

Ethan did as he was instructed. Every breath lessened his pain as the self hypnosis worked. After several very deep breaths, his pain wasn’t as bad as it had been.

***You have learned a new ability!***

Ignore Pain - by focusing your mind against the pain your wounds will heal faster. For 30 seconds your next source of healing is increased by 5%

“Thank you, sir.” Ethan mimicked the same salute he’d seen Valda perform, grateful that at least something had come from his beating.

“How you feeling? Still hurt and tired?” Torben’s deep voice was uncaring in his question.

Ethan’s eyes flicked to his health and stamina, he hadn’t bothered to check them during the fight. But now he was starting to feel a little tired and he was sure his health had dropped from being hit with the blunted sword.

HP: 62/150

Stamina: 100/330

“Yeah a lit—“

Torben slapped him hard across the face with his metal covered hand.

“What the fuck?” Ethan was shocked and livid. He hadn’t been expecting the sudden attack from the shorter man. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as his fight or flight instincts kicked in.

“Settle down boy. That was the other ability you needed to learn.” Torben’s tone was serious.

Another notification emerged in his view.

***You have learned a new ability!***

Second Wind - instantly gain 25% health and stamina and an additional 20% health and stamina over 10 seconds. 5 minute cool down.

“Did you have to hit me for that?” Ethan rubbed his cheek where he’d just been struck.

“More fun for me that way.” Torben chuckled as he responded.