《Blown Away》A Long Way Down
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Sarah's fall seemed to last a lot longer than she thought it would. She had imagined the floor below her to have the same layout as the one she had been on, yet more and more seconds passed as her body picked up speed during her decent. Forced down by the law of gravity.
'Shit! Is my Immortality still on cool down?' Unable to remember if sufficient time had passed, Sarah was about to check the skills timer when the air inside her lungs was violently ejected as she crashed into the floor below.
As her body began to sink, Sarah was reminded of the time she had tried acid before enlisting. The feeling she had was reminiscent of that as her body seemed to be merging with the floor. Becoming one with what ever it is that she's crashed into.
It was only when she realised that she was unable to breath did panic truly set in. It forced Sarah to struggle and fight for her life until she managed to escape its clutches. What she had originally mistaken to be a solid surface due to her impact, actually turned out to be a body of water. There was also another reason that revealed the substance that Sarah had landed in, or on, as that had actually been the case.
[You have drank from the water of sin. HP, MP and Stamina recovery are increased by 500% for the next 2 hours.]
Checking her stats, Sarah realised that she had barely endured the shameful face plant as her health was slowly creeping its way back up from 34. 'That was almost death number four and there's a chance that I might not have survived that time. Time didn't slow down, which means Immortality is still on cooldown too. I should start being more careful like the descriptions keep telling me to.'
Looking up, Sarah could barely make out the small speckle of light that the mana crystal was emitting. 'How did I even survive that fall? My body hurts all over and I'm almost out of health...'
A faint dot on the distant ceiling was all she was able to see as she treaded water. '...and how are people usually supposed to get up there?' Sarah complained internally while grumbling about the ridiculousness of the tower she owned.
'Guess I won't be visiting Solus for a while. Sorry buddy.' She sent the guardian a silent prayer and then tried her best to make out her new surroudings with what little light reached her location.
'I can't fucking see anything down here!' Where are the bastard lights in the Tower of Death.'
[Tower of Death - Level 1]
- Since the passing of the last Master, the tower has regressed back to its original state. Unlock new features by performing sacrifices and granting souls to the Tower of Death.
Current floors: 1
Sacrificial souls: 2
Features need to advance: 1
Features available: 1
- Lighting (1)
"Are you fucking joking me? Are those my sacrifices!?" Sarah couldn't help but curse the tower as she continued to tread water, her Endurance showing its worth. 'I'm more than just a little annoyed at that, but at least my deaths weren't in vain.' Thinking positively, Sarah choose confirm on the only available feature for the Tower of Death.
Before her eyes, mana crystals began to grow from the walls in a spiral pattern leading towards the top and illuminated the entire silo-like structure. The walls that led up were black with a tint of green and Sarah couldn't help but feel they look mystical in their own right.
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[Tower of Death has reached Level 2 - New features are avaliable]
No other rooms had appeared, but that was a given seeing as though the status page had told her what would happen and there was also still only one floor. The one she had fallen from.
'How the hell am I supposed to get out of here then?' As the light grew, Sarah noticed a stone slab protruding from the wall so she swam towards it. The fact that she could have hit rock instead of liquid wasn't lost in her as she climbed out of the waters of sin. She was also wondering if the tower's status would have changed with upgrade, hoping shedding some light on her ongoing problem.
[Tower of Death - Level 2]
- Since the passing of the last Master, the tower has regressed back to its original state. Unlock new features by performing sacrifices and granting souls to the Tower of Death.
Current floors: 1
Sacrificial souls: 1
Features need to advance: 2
Features available: 2
- Ground Floor (1)
- Door (1)
'Shit! It's got to be the door, right? There's nothing to suggest that the ground floor will come equipt with an exit. Then again, what if does? Argh, but what if it doesn't!? Fucking stupid choices!' Sarah's health was still slowly rising as numbness from her fall disappeared.
'Stupid tower with its bullshit choices. I mean, there is a third option, but I don't really want to take that one.'
[Immortality is ready for use]
'The timing on that shit.'
Sarah was in fact entertaining the idea of performing suicide. This time it had to be named that way as she would be the one taking her own life. What she hadn't expect was that the universe - in all its infinite knowledge, would prompt her into it in her time of deliberation.
'Still. I suppose I could use the opportunity to have a look at what's at the bottom of this place. I'd gain that last sacrifice in the process and you never know, I might find something good. As long as you don't factor drowning into the equation, it's not a bad idea. Fuck. Let's do it now before I chicken out.'
Dropping back into the water, Sarah swam down beneath the surface. The light eminating from tower's mana crystals found it hard to penetrate the waters of sin. The deeper she got, more and more of her visibility was stolen from her. When she finally reached the bottom, a small bout of oxygen escaped her lungs.
Trying their best not to make a dash for the surface, Sarah made her way through the pitch-black depths and was scouring the floor as she went. Just because she couldn't see, didn't mean that all her senses had been lost and touch alone was enough. She blindly grasped for anything that might have been in reach as she her way tried to take her mind of certain death.
Sarah knew she wasn't going to last much longer and when her next involuntary loss of air occurred, panic was pleading with Sarah to make a hasty retreat. Back to oxygen, life and the safety that breathing provided. She fought to suppress that thought and all her instincts with everything she had. At the same time, the crazy woman's fingers brushed over a small, circular object.
Fumbling around, Sarah almost lost the invisible object until she finally grab hold of it. With it's round shape and small size, it was obvious that it was some type of ring. Sarah slid it onto her finger as the last dregs of the oxygen burst from her lungs causing her to take a mouthful of water.
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[You have drank from the water of sin. HP, MP and Stamina recovery are increased by 500% for the next 2 hours.]
Even though Sarah knew the plan was to die down there to earn a sacrifice, she couldn't help but start the kicking in desperation. Fighting to live and ascending to safety. The will to survive was overbearing and forced her to struggle in vain with the last vestiges of energy her body could muster.
The concept of drowning, compared to the actual, shitting your pants, horror of knowing you're definitely going to drown and there's nothing you can do to prevent it, are two different aren't even comparable to each other.
'Fuck!'
That was the last thought that went through Sarah's concious mind as the waters of sin became a void of darkness as death had once again claimed its name over her.
.•° ✿ °•.
"Master! You're back, and you can teleport now?" Solus was shocked aby Sarah's sudden return and the door's statement came across as more of a question.
Sarah opened her eyes as the warm heart from the fire washed over. She wasn't in a good mood.
'That was the worst death yet. Thank God this is my spawn point.'
Looking at the door, who was clearly happy to see her again, Sarah could also see new notifications. Specifically, the most recent one regarded her latest death.
"No, I can't teleport. Not yet anyway if that's a thing. Unfortunately, I died again. I'm not the best master yet. I must admit."
Ignoring the notification regarding her death to the best of her ability and seeing no reason to lie to her guardian, Sarah explained what had happened to her down below aswell as what she'd done to advance the tower. As she was explaining, Sarah couldn't help but appreciate the fine piece of jewellery that had managed to respawn with her.
'I didn't think it would come back with me, but it's good information to know.'
Sarah was pleased with her find. A small, green gem sat atop a beautifully-crafted golden ring. That wasn't all though as her notifications revealed even more.
[Ring of the Necromancer: 5/100]
Using the ring's status, which could apparently hold a hundred items and was almost as bizzare as the fact the Lance corporal could respawn after death, Sarah was able to view its contents and spotted some crazy items. The ring alone would be enough to baffle scientists, its storage capabilities were lightyears beyond anything modern-day technology could produce, but the items inside were even stranger.
Sarah was loathe to even attempt using them. The one-piece necromancer robe, fully equipt with its own hood and cowl, was a definite no-no. Why the hell would she want to dress like the villain in some other protagonist's story?
'Don't think so! I should burn that so I'm not forced to use it at some point in the future.'
[Book of Souls: 6/100 - Indestructible]
Another storage item, held inside the ring, only this one contained souls. Sarah's mind was blown away at the capacity of the otherworldly items.
- The souls of those who have died can be absorbed into the Book of Souls. Even those found outside can be used to advance the Tower of Death.
'That's amazing, but the ring is still something else. Could I put 100 different rings, all full themselves, inside my own ring? That means I'd be able to carry 10,000 items on one finger! The whole army's rations could be carried by a single person and they wouldn't even feel twinge of strain.'
Veering of topic, Sarah brought her attention back to the contents of the ring. There was another book inside which Sarah decided was almost like a bible after reading a few passages.
'The book of death. Aptly named for a preaching necromancer. Not my cup of tea though.' Apart from the robes and books, there were two other items left to inspect.
[Shoes of the Necromancer - Rare - Part of a two piece set: Comfort is increased 100% and colour will adjust to match any outfit.]
Sarah couldn't resist the temptation. After removing her standard issue boots, Sarah tapped them with her ring and they were stored away inside. Right after the boots had vanished, a pair of white slippers appeared in their place.
'That is so cool. I'm never going to bored of that. I love magic.' Sliding her feet into the slippers, which were actually larger than her boots had been, the magical fabric shrunk down to the perfect size.
'Oh my god!'
As the slippers turned green to match her monotone attire, Sarah smiled. Her feet felt as though she was standing on clouds. Clouds specifically designed for her for maximum comfort.
'I am never taking these off. I doubt people will know their part of a necromancer outfit, so I should be fine. Especially if I'm not wearing that stupid robe. Actually... No. I don't want to look at the super-tasty benefits that might offer me. I might be too tempted and not able to resist. If that happens, I'm as good as murdered by some wanna-be hero looking to put down a dark sorcerer! I can't help but fall into that category if I wear that thing. Knowing that it's part of the set is almost making me not want to throw it away. Maybe I'll store it in my room.'
The last item inside the ring was a staff made that looked to be made from the wood of a very evil tree. Almost black with hues of purple near the top, the staff almost remebled a spine and contained an immense amount of power which Sarah felt the moment she removed it from the ring. 'Now that is a weird piece of wood that most certainly falls into the evil-as-fuck category. '
[Staff of Death - Unique - Created with branches taken from the devil's tree, the Staff of Death is now a relic of the past. Increases the user's stays by twice their original amount when supplied with mana. Necromancy will not fail when cast with the Staff of Death. Necromancy is twice as effective when cast with the Staff of Death.]
Four hands had been carved to make up the top of the staff and together, each one held on to the corner of a dazzling, purple gem.
'It's almost a shame I can't use it. Well, not in public at least.' Sarah grimaced at the evil, but magnificenty-crafted staff as she placed it beside her chair.
'Last, but not least. I suppose?'
[Congratulations! You have been awarded a new title: Who Needs Oxygen?]
[Who Needs Oxygen?]
...certainly not you! Although this may sound familiar, you have died, again. Your lack of caution and care are truly a terrific combination. Soon you may not even be able to die +30 Vitality. You have acquired the specialist skill - Breathless
[Breathless - Through faults entirely of your own making, you no longer need oxygen to sustain your mortal form. Be careful of drowning... Oh, that's right! You don't need to.]
'What can I say to that? I can't... I don't... I'll just spend those souls for now and circle back to it.'
"Why not just sacrifice other people?" Sarah was about to begin her purchases until Solus asked a startling question.
"I'm not a murderer, you know? And this isn't a teenage cult movie."
"What's a murderur? Have you ever killed another person?" Sarah was once again reminded that she truly was in a another world. Solus' question had also caught her off guard because she had in fact killed people before and not too long ago had lost some good friends herself.
You had to also consider that the people Sarah and her platoon had killed had been designated as enemy combatants. And that it took place on a completely different planet. Still, because of that simple fact, Sarah could refute Solus' question. She also didn't want to argue semantics with the murder door who was probably as old as the tower itself.
"I have..." she eventually conceded, "...and a murderer is a person who kills another person for reasons that aren't justifiable by law. I was ordered to kill people by my country. It's a different matter entirely," she added, unable to stop herself from trying to justify her own actions in some way.
"So you are a killer?" Solus asked, hopefully comparing the similarities between the two and not questioning her previous-self's transgressions.
"Yeah... I suppose?" Sarah wasn't sure they were still on the same page, but answered regardless. Even though she was now less confident than she had been before. Thoughts of the tower and how to improve it were still running through her mind.
"I still don't see what the problem is then? As my Master, and Master of the tower, you can offer blessings to those who pass the trials. If they die while attempting to challenge me, then that is self sacrifice. Is it not? Death in the pursuit of greatness. That too contributes to the growth of the tower and that way your murdurs are justifiable, correct?"
'Sneaky old bastard. That is clever though and he's not wrong. Although, phrasing it as justifiable murder still makes me cringe, I do remember reading something about blessings actually...' Sarah tried to remember which status screen it had been on. '...I didn't get one! That's what it was. Instead, I got dumped with caretaking the tower that I'm still fucking trapped in and now have to rebuild. Why didn't I get respawned in a castle or somewhere cool and kick-ass like that. If I were to become a bitching, top-class fire mage with a flaming tower, that would be sweet as hell.' Sarah slapped her cheeks to shake off the thoughts that were running havoc in her mind.
"Master?" Solus seemed alarmed at her actions. Even though he had killed her twice himself, now she was the master it was a different situation.
"I'm fine. Just snapping myself out of a daydream. That was a pretty good idea you mentioned, but you need to work on your wording. Plus, I have a few questions and you seem to be a bit hit and miss for information. So, let's see how we get on this time, shall we?" Sarah gazed at Solus, ready and eager to learn how to grow in the new world she had found herself in.
"Er...yes?" She could almost see the panic run over the old door's face as its golden features quivered. Sarah was sure that she heard a little creak go off as well, not that she would mention it if only to save the awkwardly-senial creature from some embarrassment.
"Good, cause ive got shit I need to know. Number one. How do I grant blessings? Two. What type of blessings are we talking about here? Healing, soul soothing, spirit walks. I need to know what they are if I'm gking to try and convince people to get them. When I actually find people that is, which brngs us to the next. Three. Where would I even find people willing to undertake such a risky endeavour that may or may not pay off? And finally, four. What's the mortality rate likely to be? Percentage wise. If it's like 90% of people fail then we'll have to find another way to do this."
Solus looked baffled once again, but Sarah was going to need these answers. Especially, if she wanted to encourage people to take part in her crazy, potentially deadly, scheme.
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Ninth World: Prima Natus Vampire
What happens when you are the first of your species? What happens when said species is the product of the love birthed from a demon and a human? Two species that have been at each other's throats for millennia. Lilith Cunningham is the first of her kind, a cheerful girl with loving parents. However, because of her roots life has been harsh on her family, and it will only get harsher. What will the future bring her way? The art belongs to Marco Silvart here is their page https://www.artstation.com/marcosilvartI did a slight edit to the eye colour.
8 94Inside a novel as the Hero's useless brother[Progressive Fantasy]
How to turn the most insignificant character in the story, described in just a couple of lines in the book, into the most interesting one?It's extremely simple! Make him a nobody!His older brother is the protagonist of the novel. As it is to be expected, an OP with a harem...His twin sister is a powerful reincarnator, collecting all the cheat items around the world...Even his wife is not only an incredible beauty, but also a hidden goddess...What about the character himself?Well...the author of this novel seems to have forgotten about him!Talent? Superpowers? Attractive appearance... or maybe at least wealth? None of that! " Of all the possible cannon fodder, why did I move into this exact body? How am I supposed to survive?"Follow Arthur Hayes on his arduous journey through the world of the novel, that he has read, as the useless brother of the main hero.
8 173Thief of Time
[Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] Book 1: The Legend of Tot Synopsis: Claud Primus, a self-declared master thief, has a simple goal. To live forever. It's a rather easy task, for miraculous objects called lifestones are able to extend one's lifespan. These lifestones are best found in the treasuries of nobles, lovely resorts that Claud pays a visit to every so often. Unfortunately, one of those nightly visits go awry, and Claud is forced to escape with just a single lifestone and a box in hand. Normally, that's when things die down. The guards yawn, the gates close, and the night continues. But this time, the night isn't that forgiving. A dozen schemes result in the murder of someone important, and with a convenient scapegoat — Claud — at hand, it doesn't take long for him to be framed as a heinous criminal, wanted for the indirect murder of someone high up...and it just gets worse from there. Book 2: The Moon Lords' Rise Synopsis: As ordered chaos sweeps across Licencia, Claud leaves for Julan Barony, intent on making some profits there. Accompanied by the erstwhile heiress of Julan, a fellow member of the Moon Lords, the two plot against the barony's wealth...as well as a promise to bring about its downfall. Meanwhile, back home, the Moon Lords have busied themselves with digesting their gains. Eyes, however, are beginning to turn to this proverbial fish in a small pond. The fishermen are coming. When they cast their hook, what will Dia and the others do? Book 3: Murders under the Moons Synopsis: In the sleepy town of Nachtville, where Claud and Lily are forced to stop at, a set of nasty murders occurs. Victims scream out in fright, before a spear falls from the sky to end their suffering. Cowed and cautious, the master thief and his partner slink in the shadows, their objective that of home... A new task, however, has fallen on Dia. With a trusty helper at her side, she has to set off towards Nachtville itself, to solve the mystery Claud had abandoned. Faced with an enemy whose sole skillset is geared towards killing, how will they succeed? And what dark secrets will they find? Book 4: In the Dark of the Moons Synopsis: The year has ended. The four months of the full moons will soon be followed by two months of the new moons. Duke Istrel's ascension is around the corner. Amidst this political upheaval, Count Nightfall, Licencia's strongest defender, has been called away. The Moon Lords' largest task yet — to protect Licencia in the absence of its ruler — has begun. And yet, trouble is unrelenting. A distinguished personage, one that Claud fears, has been found dead in the county, his brains dug out and his body disemboweled. The inquisitors of the White Church have been dispatched to investigate and apprehend the murderer...as well as the person behind this puppet. Tormented by a call to fight, Claud directs his eyes out of the city, looking for the puppetmaster. Skulking in the shadows, the master thief will soon confront his greatest foe yet. A foe just like him. Book 5: Moonlit Tides and Darkened Seas Synopsis: A new era has begun. For the privileged, the sands of time dribble away for every passing moment, counting down to the arrival of a entity of mythical proportions. The night now harbours shadows and fog, and operatives of the Moons and the Dark clash in shadow. Claud, as usual, is investigating a spate of nasty disappearances in the city, but little does he know what these disappearances truly mean. And yet, a tide is coming. When it finally breaks, what will he do? Book 6: Secrets in Shadow Synopsis: The person behind a strike that would enter the annals of history flees his home, bringing with him the person closest to his heart into a new land and into a new world. Having left Istrel for the first time in his life, the two of them attempt to settle down in foreign lands, only to be caught in the middle of hostilities between two mighty powers grappling for dominion. Yet, none of that has anything to do with him. Following his desires, Claud eventually makes his way to the fabled Celestia Ruins, a fragment of another world. Bearing witness to truths he cannot yet comprehend, he returns from his exploration, a small break away from the machinations of destiny. One thing, however, is for certain. Destiny will not wait for him. Book 7: Reddest Rage Synopsis: Destiny churns on, heedless of mortal machinations, and Claud watches as the battlegrounds between the Moons and the Dark are drawn up. With the forces of the great Dark occupying Lostfon, Claud comes to a startling realisation — that he may have very well be a murderer of heinous proportions. Grappling with that realisation, he struggles to prepare for his Second Tutorial... Back in Istrel, Dia finds herself confronted with a perennial truth. Even in a time of writhing destiny, the machinations between nobles never cease to end — and unfortunately for her, the group once known as the Moon Lords are forced into dealing with a petty squabble between two counts. What they didn't account for, however, was the startling discovery they would soon make... And the shadow of the Red God's Holy Son behind it all. Book 8: Darkness Descends Synopsis: Nightmares haunt the horizon as Claud sinks and awakens from a seeming dream. What was once illusory begins to play out before him, in a way he cannot imagine. Dia, forced to wield arms, begins and ends a battle that opens her eyes to the vast dangers that lurk in this sundered world. Under the banner of humanity and divinity, she beholds the silent, forgotten protectors of Orb...but there is no forgetting the battle between the divinities. The Dark descends, the Moons writhe, and the horns of war blow once more. But this is not their battle. Not yet. Book 9: Moons Muster Synopsis: As more and more events fall into place, Claud finds himself desperate. Not for himself, but for the person who has turned into his world. Armed with the knowledge of a certain future, he approaches the only person that could possibly help him in his time of need, trading information for a promise of help. With that as solace, he returns to the grim task of understanding and seeking, revisiting an ancient, shattered fragment of another world...unleashing changes that he never knew was possible. Back in Istrel, Dia and the others must now navigate around a familiar spirit, who seeks to investigate the death of his master's Bearer. With them as prime suspects, the Seekers of Life must move carefully...but the Coloured Gods are not the only divinities eyeing them closely. The Moons, bristling from repeated defeats, are looking for new recruits, and the Seekers of Life are prime cannon fodder. Above all, destiny marches on, the unfeeling clock a warning to all. The Trial of Aeons will soon arrive. Book 10: Destiny Divine Synopsis: ??? Release frequency: one every few days or something, I guess. (This work is also being serialised on Webnovel under the name Revile as a trial run)
8 678The Christmas Wish
Kim Taehyung is a farmer visiting the big city on business. While touring the city he witness' an accident and quickly takes action. Overnight he becomes a hero and a social media sensation. He agrees to an interview on the number one rated talk and cooking show in South Korea, Kooking with Kookie. Although Taehyung is a simple man he has a passion for cooking and a secret crush on none other than Jeon Jungkook the celebrated host of Kooking with Kookie. Being a guest on Kookie's show is a dream come true. Jeon Jungkook is wealthy and famous celebrity that appears to have it all. But there's something missing in his life. Christmas is coming yet he is not looking forward to it. Gone is the joy and excitement that the season always brings him. He longs for a simpler life and a partner. He desires to meet a regular guy. A regular guy like he once was, before his fame and fortune. However, he has a secret that could destroy his career and everything that he has worked so hard to build. While on Kookie's show Taehyung reveals a very special Christmas wish that just might change both of their lives forever.
8 164The Troll of Oium: A Norse Saga
The lands of Midgard have grown cold and choked with ice as freezing mist covers all. Only a sacrifice can bring the warmth of summer, one from each tribe of Germa in their turn until The Vargr Tribe's treachery forces all into war. But in the mitts of battle, something rages beneath a Jarl's skin turning his skin gray, eyes red, and bringing forth a craving for flesh. All the while Odin guides the future, preparing for the visions plaguing him for a millennium. A black-furred wolf, large like a mammoth, and a necromancer with green flames burning in his eyes would come for him. The battle's name would be Ragnarök and will end the world unless he claims victory by any means necessary.
8 228Speaking of Rainbows...(Boyxboy)
Rain,it's supose to have the gently soothing type sound to it , but Rain the boy who's voice is never heard may change that idea to many. Well that is until Vixon comes to around,-Better details in first page...(^~^)
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