The sky was a bright orange, and the tower was clearly visible in the distance as we stepped outside the fort. It was strange seeing the tower at the same time as we are inside it. Seven glowing rings of light could be seen, the bottom was a light green and each ring above was a slightly warmer colour. The seventh glowed a deep orange, almost matching the colour of the sky.

We made our way back to the floor entrance and traded in the rabbit meat and slime cores to the chef cart. Yui handled the trade and piled five plates of skewers onto a nearby table. There were two types of skewers, one was glazed rabbit meat with vegetables, cooked with a garlic spice that I could not get enough of. I finished two in about as many minutes it would be perfect if not for the mushrooms.

The other had three balls of jelly, which I assumed to be slime, dusted with sugar. Each colour had a different fruity flavour. The first one I bit into was purple and was like a sweet juicy grape. The texture was soft like a gummy candy and were served warm. They melted in the mouth when chewed on.

“So good.” Miko said as she bit down on some rabbit meat.

Richard grinned after taking a swig of a green drink that was made from slime juice. He pointed towards a pile of wooden sticks and mushrooms in front of me “Not a fan of mushroom?”

“Yeah, no. Before being summoned I spent a lot of time in caverns and mushroom was included with almost every meal.” It’s funny, mushrooms would have been one of my favorite vegetables, but after spending years eating them in every meal, I am sick of them.

“I’ll take them!” Miko leaned over and stabbed down into the discarded mushrooms with a skewer.

Yui’s eyes were closed and she had a smile on her face as she chewed on a dessert skewer. She opened her eyes and noticed me watching. “Want to pull out that Dwarven mead? I bet it will go well with the meat.”

“Ohh yes please!” Miko chimed in through a mouthful of food.

Before even reached down to my pouch, Richard had placed four cups in front of me.

I poured the drink, and everyone grabbed a cup. We bumped them together and toasted to my first day in the tower. Yui was right. Dwarven mead went perfectly with the food and tasted amazing.

We sat at the table eating and drinking until there were no more skewers, or mead remaining.

Yui sighed contentedly from across the table and Miko was hunched over asleep with her head resting on her arms.

“Great way to end the day.” Richard said while rubbing a hand over his stomach. “What time are we wanting to come in tomorrow? I need to do some research.”

“I need to talk to grandfather about what Torva mentioned so let’s aim for just after lunch.” Yui poked Miko’s shoulder. “Wake up Miko, we are heading back.”

The sky was turning to a dark blue and I could see the twinkling of stars. It felt so nice to be outdoors, even if this is inside the tower. “Actually, I’m thinking of camping out on one of those hills tonight.”

Yui stopped poking Miko and focused on me. “No way. I know you are strong for your level but you can’t stay in the tower alone.”

“What?” Richard asked as he placed the cups back into his storage. “No one camps by themselves in the tower and most groups decide to either exit or rest behind fortified walls.” He piled the plates together and placed the skewers on top. “The tower becomes more dangerous at night with more spawns and higher level creatures appearing.”

“That’s perfect.” I rubbed my hands together. “I will be able to gain another level or two before we meet up tomorrow.”

Yui shook her head “No. I don’t like it. It’s better we rest up and come back as a group. Besides, you don’t have a tent.”

I motioned around us at the number of stalls selling items to adventurers. “I’m sure I can buy what I need here.”

Yui sighed and leaned forward. “You are new here and don’t understand the dangers inside a tower.”

I scoffed, this place was a paradise to what I’m used to, but I could see where she was coming from. Only, the idea of going back when I can stay here, gain more levels, and unlock more spells, doesn’t sit well with me. Yui is the team leader, so I need to be diplomatic. How did that line go?

“I am the danger.”

Yui cracks a laugh “What?”

Miko yawned and lifted her head from the table “Someone say camping? I have a tent that can fit everyone.”

Yui shook her head “We can’t. I need to report to grandfather, and Richard wants to do some research.”

“The library again? Boring!” Miko stretched her arms out.

“You guys can head back. I’ll spend the night here. I might kill a few wandering creatures and gain another few levels.” I look at the market stalls laid out around us. “I’m sure someone here sells camping supplies.”

Miko stood up “I’ll stay too. I know a good shop here that sells what you need.”

“Miko, what will your father say once he learns you are camping alone, with a guy, you just met?”

Miko gave a humph “Dad is spending a week on floor thirty. I enjoy camping and have stayed here a few times. Besides, we can’t let our newest member camp by himself, right Yui?”

I stood up and stretched my back, feeling it click. “It’s only the first floor. How dangerous can it be?”

“Fine.” Yui let out a breath. “But I expect to see you waiting for us at yellow five right here at this table. If you are not, I will be reporting that you have gone missing on your first day in the tower. The guild will send out search parties if that happens, so don’t be late.”

Yui stood up from the table and walked over to me. She grabbed my hand and placed five silver coins into my palm. “The copper from the goblins won’t get you far. Use this to buy some more gear. You can pay me back later.” She clapped me on the shoulder. “Be safe. Don’t do anything reckless.” Turning to Miko she added “Behave yourself.” Miko just gave her a wide grin in return.

Richard clasped my forearm. “Hope you enjoy your first night in the tower. See you tomorrow.”

I watched them disappear from view as they stepped into the tower. Walking in the tower that was actually the exit to the tower. The tower inside the tower that left the tower? This place gets confusing if I think about it too much.

Turning to Miko I asked, “What’s yellow five?”

She pointed up to the glowing rings. “You can tell the time based on the number and colour of rings on the tower. There are ten rings, and a full day has three cycles. Yellow, red, and blue.” Miko hopped from her seat and stood in front of me. “Let’s go. I’ll show you where you can buy that survival gear.”

Miko led the way into the market area, turning down side paths, and pushing past other adventurers to a large green tent. In front of which had a sign hanging out depicting a sickle and campfire. Miko gestured for me to enter. The first thing I noticed when stepping inside was the soft, well maintained, grass. The transition from the hard dirt outside was noticeable and I was tempted to take off my sandals so I could wiggle my toes in the soft grass.

“Welcome traveller.” A feminine voice greeted me. An Elf sitting behind a desk on one side of the entrance was smiling towards me. The desk drew my attention. There were leaves and flowers growing out from the sides and top, forming a miniature garden. At the base of the desk were visible roots extending into the ground.

The elf was wearing a green robe and had long silver hair flowing down to her waist. A bracelet rested on her wrist and extended down to her left hand, it appeared to be made from green vines and yellow flowers. She had a similar looking belt and circlet. Her eyes were the same colour as her hair, a silver that seemed to reflect the light like a diamond.

Miko pushed me from behind and I took a few more steps inside. In the middle of the tent was a tree with branches extending outwards forming the framework of the tent. Around the tree were display benches and shelves packed with an assortment of items. There were also smaller tents set up inside.

Something changed about the tree. I don’t know how to explain it, but my instincts told me that it was focused on me.

Miko pushed me further inside “Hi Ven.” She walked up to the counter and clasped hands with the elf.

“Miko! It’s good to see you.” When Ven the elf smiled, flowers bloomed around her, and a citrus scent tickled my nose. “You have some herbs for me?”

“Only a few but the reason we are here is to buy some camping supplies for Reigner.” Miko turned and gestured towards me.

Ven gave another smile. “You must be the latest soul to be reincarnated by the tower.” She stepped around the desk and took my hands in hers. They felt soft and cool against my skin, and her delicate fingers looked tiny against my own.

“My condolences on all you have lost, and I welcome you, to your new life here in Aruni.” She bent her head towards my hands and brought them up towards her lips. At the same moment I felt a threatening intent come from the centre of the tent.

I pulled my hands away and turned to stare at the tree. As I moved my foot to reposition myself, I felt the grass rip from under my sandal. I looked down and saw that the grass was actually curling around my footwear. I took a few steps, ripping more of the grass and making sure it didn’t get a foothold on me.

The elf said something I couldn’t understand. Her voice was stern and after a moment the ill intent faded. The tent seemed to sag, and the yellow flowers around the tent wilted. “My apologies. Brakil can be quite protective of me around new people but don’t worry, he is actually very gentle. He won’t hurt you.”

“Brakil is the name of the tree?” I asked while making sure the grass was no longer trying to ensnare me.

“My familiar” She showed off the bracelet on her wrist. “Brakil is an earth and wood spirit. He saved me from a chimera during my first few years here.” She walked over and placed her hand on the trunk of the tree. “We have been together now for over three hundred years.” At her touch the tent stopped sagging and straightened itself.

“What was that language before? That’s the first time I have heard anyone speak something I could not understand”

A hint of a smile touched her face “It was ancient elvish from my home world. Most languages are forgotten for the common tongue here and only the few reincarnated remember.”

I was the only person summoned in the other world. It’s interesting that being summoned is so common here. “So, you also woke up naked in a dark room in front of the tower?”

Ven giggled “Not completely naked but close to it.” A grin formed on her face, and she gave me a wink “I must admit, you were quite handsome under that robe.”

“You… were there?”

“No, but I saw the recording. It’s quite common for adventurers to sell recordings of the people stepping out of the birthing room”

“Great.” I brought my hands up to rub my face. A thought occurred to me, and I pull my hands down. “So you are saying there is also a recording of you stepping out, close to naked, roaming around?”

I felt my feet start to sink into the ground and took a few steps, ripping more grass that had wrapped around my sandals. The feeling of the grass ripping as I pulled my feet up felt enjoyable, now I knew the tree was only trying to intimidate me.

I looked over to the tree. “Just so you know, I can summon axes.”

Ven said something in ancient elvish again and the ground calmed down. “Fortunately recording magic was discovered a decade after I was reborn here.” There was only a hint of humor remaining in her voice.

“Brakil is such a bully. This is why you don’t get many customers, Ven.” Miko placed a finger against her chin and her tail started wagging behind her. “I think you should give Reigner a hefty discount. You wouldn’t want to scare away another customer, right?”

Ven sighed and walked behind the desk. “You are right. I apologize again, Reigner. So, what are you looking to purchase?”

We spent some time picking out supplies. A small tent, Miko said I could share hers, but I wanted something for myself. A compass that pointed towards the tower. I did not see much use for it as the tower was hard to miss, but Miko insisted I have one. A sleeping roll, pillow, pair of boots, and an extra set of clothes and underwear, not enchanted unfortunately. Apparently, enchanted gear was not cheap, and it was rare to see an unaffiliated climber with anything enchanted until floor ten.

I also purchased a small cooking pot, ladle, and wooden spoon. All together it costed me just over six silvers, including the discount. It left me with three silvers and twenty coppers.

Everything together weighed around seven kilos and fit inside my storage pack easily. Ven was selling storage packs with various weight limits. The cheapest one could hold ten kilograms and costed five gold. Way outside my current budget and made me thankful for the pouch the guild provided.

Stepping out of the tent felt reassuring. As nice as it was inside. I’m glad to have hard packed dirt that wouldn’t curl around me under my feet.

I gave my body a little shake. “That place is creepy. I can understand why people don’t shop there.”

“She pampers Brakil too much. Once you get over him the place is nice, smells amazing inside and Ven buys herbs for a good price. She has always been friendly to me.”

“You maybe, I swear that tree tried to drop a spider down the back of my robe.” I gave my robe a pat and squirmed a little, making sure I couldn’t feel anything inside. “Know a good place to camp? I feel like a little nap before gaining more experience.”

“Yea, Follow me!” Miko almost skipped as we made our way out of the fortified walls.