Richard hands over the ticket to the tower knight standing next to the entrance and we walk into the passageway. The familiar darkness I have become so used to surrounds me. However, there is a new feeling to the darkness. A feeling like I’m being watched very closely. It puts me on edge, and I feel my body tensing up, preparing itself for action as we walk further inside. Decades of hard earned experience has taught me the tower is not to be underestimated.

Richard summons a ball of light and sent it to hover above the party. The little glowing orb illuminates our surroundings.

The walls look different. Everything is angular, straight lines and right angles. The floor looks to be tiled from polished stone with spaced out small circular patterns.

“I have not visited the first floor in over a year now.” Said Miko.

Walking next to her, Yui says “We will have to stop by the chefcart on the way back. He does really yum skewers with slime and rat meat.”

“Oh! I read about that in the floor guide.” Said Richard. “They theorise his class gains bonus experience whenever someone tries his cooking for the first time.” He is looking down at a thin booklet while walking at the front of the group. Everyone seems too relaxed. I summon a short spear into my right hand. Holding onto a weapon gives me some comfort. The thought of slimes brings back memories of giant gelatinous walls of acidic pain and death, slowly creeping towards me. I was useless against them as they were completely immune to physical attacks and had to be killed with ranged magic.

“Ah here it is. Chef Powin Flickerhand is considered one of the wonders of the tower. He is usually found on the first floor but will on occasion climb the tower for rare ingredients. He does not accept coin and only accepts ingredients in exchange for his cooking. In an interview Powin said that most of the ingredients on the first floor are great for non-climbers. It’s been said that he visits the slums every fifth day, feeding the hungry.”

Miko glances back and slows down to walk next to me. “What’s with the spear?”

I keep my attention on our surroundings and reply. “I don’t know how you can be so relaxed.”

Miko let out a laugh that echoes down the tunnel “Right! I almost forgot that you are a newbie.”

Hearing her use the word newbie breaks my concentration. Memories of a past life come flooding into my mind. Memories of sitting at a computer and running dungeons with friends while drinking soda. The feeling of joy from discovering a rare drop. It has been so long since I have thought about my first life.

I turn to face her and see that Miko is still talking. “We are currently on the path to the first floor. It’s safe here, no creatures or traps can appear on the path between floors.”

Richard slows down and lets Yui take the front position. “You should read the pamphlet you were given when you registered when you find time, it’s quite fascinating. The reason why the path is considered one of the safest places in the tower is because you will never encounter other climbing groups or any creatures. Even if we sprinted, we would never bump into the group that entered before us, even if they stopped to have a snack. A group must enter within ten seconds of each other, or they will be separated and will have to regroup on one of the floors.”

As we continue walking along the path, small cave entrances started to appear on the left wall. I felt a pull from the cave, feels like an invitation. A strong urge to explore and find out where it leads overcomes me. Not wanting to leave the group I keep my eye on the opening as we walk by.

“Mazer holes” Miko said from next to me. “There are two ways to get to the first floor. The tower entrance that takes you to the centre of the floor. Or the Mazer holes which will lead to a random location on the floor.”

“They are called Mazer holes due to a climber, named Mazer” Richard said. “He entered one without his group knowing and went missing. Over a month later he was found by a group exploring the uncharted areas. Under ten percent health and covered in blood. Mazer reported that he found a named creature leading an army of goblins. It was said that they were hunting him down for weeks until he encountered the group of climbers.”

More Mazer holes appear, always on the left wall with none appearing on the right. After about five minutes, a large opening appears ahead of us, flooding the nearby path with light.

“Finally! I hate walking in this darkness.” Yui starts running to the opening now that it is within sight.

Miko smiles and turns her head to me “Come on”. She starts running after Yui.

Richard shrugs and follows. I join him, I can still feel the pull from the Mazer holes. Calling me, inviting me to explore.

I follow the others through the large opening and squint my eyes due to the brightness. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust. Opening my eyes, I stand dumbfounded and drop my summoned spear to the ground. It feels like I just stepped out of the tower. I look back and can see the pillar of the tower continuing to lead upwards. Infront of me I can see a blue sky with a few clouds above. In front of me is a dwarven tower knight, sitting behind a desk with a crystal ball in front of her. She opened her eyes for a moment, gave us a look over and leaned back into the chair before closing them again.

I felt a poke from my side and see Yui grinning. “Welcome to the first floor!”

I followed the group past some buildings with tower knights standing around them to a more open area where carts, temporary stands, and tents were set up. People were buying and selling goods, likely drops from creatures and climbing provisions. On the other side of the market is a small stone wall with tower knights patrolling on top. In front of us is an open gate with adventurers entering and leaving.

The group are talking, but I don’t hear much of their conversation as my attention is focused on the view past the gate. Lush green grassy hills are sloping up and down like waves frozen in time. There is a dirt path that meanders off into the distance. I can see rabbits scurrying around and small blue blobs of what must be slimes everywhere. Some adventurers are fighting the slimes or rabbits by themselves.

Am I really inside a tower right now? This place looks like a fairy tale compared to the tower I know.

“Out the way, dreamer!” I feel a bump against my back and see an orc stumble past me, falling onto the dirt road.

I scowl down at the orc, angry at myself for relaxing my guard. I can’t afford to space out and let someone I don’t know get so close. The orc, now getting to his feet, looks to be the same height as myself. He is wearing a finely crafted black leather coat with the front left loose. Under the coat there is only bare muscle and grey cloth pants. The only armour he is wearing are full metal boots that end just below his knee, and I can see two axes hooked to his belt. Honestly, he looks badass. The only thing ruining the look is his face. He has black hair tied back out of his dark obsidian eyes, which is fine. It’s just that he doesn’t have a beard, his style could be A rank if he grew one out. The orc straightens his jacket, takes a step towards me, and his eyes flash with a dim light. A light pulse of energy falls around my body before vanishing a second later. It felt like standing in a small gust of wind. That must have been an information skill. This is a new experience for me. A spell like that would never have worked on me before. I’m not sure how I feel, being touched by another person’s mana.

“Just who the fuck do you think you are, pink skin!” The orc steps right into my face and glares at me. “You must be the latest outworlder everyone is talking about.” His breath is surprisingly minty. “Let me give you a piece of advice. You might have been some great noble where you were from, having power to walk over others and push people down that you don’t like.” Poking my chest with a finger, he leaves a brown smudge on my robe. “Here you are just a powerless little level one nothing.” Pointing to himself with his thumb, he continues. “It’s the GorikTar clan that rules this city. You should think very carefully before you…” He goes to poke me again. However, before he can leave another mark on my robe, I slap his hand away. His hand goes wide, arm stretched out and is forced to take a step back to regain his balance.

Seriously, what is it with this world ruining my garments. I look down at the smudge and brush at it with my fingers. My eyes widen as the dirt clears away, leaving pristine cloth. That’s a relief, this must not be just some ordinary robe. I try out my new appraisal skill.

[Novice Mage Robe]

Quality: Fine (Magical)

Weight: 3.5 kg

Value: 20 silver - 20 gold

Not very helpful. Focusing back on the orc I give him a smile. “Sorry about that. I am becoming a bit protective of my clothes. This one in particular as it was picked especially for me. But look” I lift the section of robe where he poked me, “no mark! It brushed right off.” The orc’s face is twisting up into an expression of fury. His right hand moves towards his axe.

I move forward and grab his wrist. “I’m not looking to fight. Here, I don’t have much, but this might come in handy” I summon and slap a mana ball into his palm. “I don’t want to ruin this fine first day in the tower by bullying an adventurer.” I walk past him and give him a pat on the shoulder. I see Richard a few meters in front of me with a horrified expression on his face. Past him, in the distance I see Miko chasing Yui, who was killing and picking up rabbits in the nearby field.

Richard’s eyes open wide. He looks to be trying to say something while pointing a finger behind me. I turn around to see my mana marble flying towards my face. I manage to catch it before it slams into me.

The orc’s shoulders rise and fall from his heavy breathing. His blood shot eyes are focused intently on me. “Keep your pathetic trinket.” His words come out so forcefully that spittle sprays from his mouth. Good thing I’m some distance away so none of it lands on my robe. “What is your name, outworlder?”

I like that, outworlder… it has a nice ring to it. Maybe I could use that as my last name, Reigner the outworlder. I give him my name and ask for his in return.

“I am Khemrok of Clan AxeTar.” His breathing slows down and his face no longer looks like he wants to murder something. Still looks mad but that could be his default face. Resting mad face. “Careful not to wander too far from the knights. Even though it might be the first floor, adventurers have been known to turn up dead from time to time. Likely from engaging battle with someone above their capability.”

Khemrok pats his leather coat, causing dust to fall off. He then turns and walks away along the outside of the fortified wall. I pat my robe in a similar fashion and watch as particles of dust fall off to the ground. Very cool. I turn and smile at Richard. “Friendly fellow.”

Beautiful landscapes, open skies, and interesting people… You know what. I might enjoy my time in the tower after all. I put my arm around Richard’s shoulder and we walk towards the others.