Chapter Eleven: Update Signs
The night draped the city like a cold blanket, and the air slipped through the alleys illuminated by glowing electronic threads, pulsating slowly in the darkness. EYAS walked hesitantly, eyes tracing the shadows that fractured over the building walls.
Suddenly, the space before him split open, revealing a transparent red screen floating a few steps away. His heart skipped a beat, and his limbs stiffened as if frozen in place. The symbols displayed on the screen were strange, reminiscent of ancient engravings, as if he had seen them somewhere before:
> 𒀀𒈠𒅗𒀸𒊕𒄑𒅆 — Analysis in Progress 10% — 𒀭𒈹𒆠𒈾𒊑𒍪𒋗
His eyes widened, and he took a step back, but quickly forced himself to steady his heavy breaths. A chill ran down his spine. He whispered under his breath, almost afraid to hear his own voice:
"This… is the second time…"
A quick memory flashed: a few days ago, a similar screen had appeared. But back then, it was simpler—no symbols, no percentages, just the bare words: "Analysis in Progress." Now… the percentage was rising, as if something within him was being examined by a hidden force.
Thoughts collided in his mind:
"Does this have anything to do with my fight with Saman? Is it measuring my strength? My soul? And what do these symbols mean?"
The ground seemed to constrict around him, yet all he could do was clench his fist stubbornly.
---
When he returned home, he opened the door quietly and spoke in a low voice, as if afraid to wake the silence:
— "I'm back…"
From the kitchen, Asia's voice drifted warmly, like a passing breeze:
— "Welcome back… Did you enjoy going out?"
In the living room, Rashad reclined on his favorite couch, eyes fixed on his transparent screen. He turned to EYAS with a fleeting smile:
— "How was the outside?"
EYAS replied, trying to hide his excitement:
— "It was… good."
Rashad nodded toward the stairs:
— "Go wash up, dinner is ready."
Asia chuckled softly, scrutinizing him:
— "You look tired… and dirty, as if you'd gotten into a fight!"
EYAS smiled playfully while heading upstairs:
— "Really, mind reader? Fine, I'll wash."
He disappeared, leaving a short silence. Rashad observed the emptiness, saying:
— "He's changed… hasn't he?"
Asia lowered her gaze for a moment, then replied with a hint of surprise:
— "Yes… he's changed a lot. Even his aura feels different… We might see many fluctuations in the future!"
Rashad slowly shook his head:
— "Maybe…"
---
Later, they gathered around the table. Rashad looked at EYAS with a sly smile that masked his curiosity:
— "So, hero… what's got you in such high spirits?"
EYAS blinked in surprise:
— "Is it that obvious?"
Asia laughed:
— "As if you just came back from a successful date!"
EYAS chuckled sarcastically:
— "Ha… ha… ha… That's funny!"
Then he recounted his outing, the unexpected encounter with Lela, and the moments that had thrown him off balance.
Asia raised an eyebrow in surprise:
— "So you met that cunning fox?"
EYAS quickly replied:
— "You know her?!"
Rashad intervened:
— "Of course… childhood friend. Full of life… and… beautiful."
The atmosphere froze suddenly, a heavy silence choking the room. Rashad felt a shiver, as if he had spoken out of turn.
Asia raised her gaze sharply, speaking slowly:
— "Seems that cunning fox can still steal fools' minds… maybe she needs a slap to bring her back to reason."
Rashad raised his hand in surrender:
— "Sorry! I mean… you're the beautiful one, my dear."
Asia forced a laugh:
— "That's better…"
Despite the tension, the room retained a warm, domestic charm, sprinkled with everyday humor.
---
Rashad settled back in front of the transparent screen, absorbed in a live broadcast.
EYAS approached hesitantly, curiosity blazing:
— "Brother… what are you watching?"
Asia shouted from afar, teasing:
— "Don't mind him… he's watching the art of wasting time professionally!"
Rashad chuckled lightly:
— "Don't believe her… I'm watching K.NV videos…"
EYAS' eyes widened:
— "K.NV? What's that… tell me!"
Rashad leaned forward like an older brother explaining:
— "They're educational or recreational videos from K.NV—short for KURD.NIT VIDEO. The platform is for gamers and adventurers. People open channels and showcase their adventures, whether inside the Tower floors or beyond the Wise State walls."
EYAS raised an eyebrow in astonishment:
— "Really? Such a thing exists?"
Rashad continued scrolling:
— "Yes, every adventurer records their journey, and the Tower itself helps with cameras and its internal system."
EYAS' curiosity glimmered:
— "Can I start a broadcast too?"
Rashad shook his head:
— "Recording is unlocked only after completing the first ten floors."
EYAS jumped from his seat, eyes sparkling with excitement:
— "What? So features unlock progressively?!"
— "Exactly. Every ten floors reveal a new feature, some visible, some hidden until you discover them yourself."
EYAS began pacing nervously, as if solving a complex puzzle. He suddenly raised his hands:
— "Wait… I have so many questions!"
Rashad smiled calmly:
— "Ask."
— "First… how do people find hidden treasures? Are they visible or do they need tools?"
Rashad laughed:
— "Not directly visible. The Tower gives encrypted clues, sometimes in symbols or subtle environmental changes. You must observe carefully. If you find a clue, the Tower sends a side quest… completing it opens a treasure map."
EYAS sat on the couch beside him like a student:
— "So everything relies on understanding… not just strength."
— "Second… how many floors are there? Has anyone reached the end?"
Rashad's expression changed, his eyes serious:
— "No one knows the full number… the Tower seems infinite."
He added in a deeper voice:
— "It is said that some ancestors—or other races—exceeded one hundred and fifty, maybe even two hundred…"
EYAS gasped:
— "One hundred and fifty… or more?!"
He sat again, trying to digest the scale. Then asked:
— "And brother… what's your level? How many floors have you completed? And how do you know all this?"
Rashad exchanged a silent look with Asia before answering. EYAS noticed and turned to Asia:
— "And you… what are you hiding behind that smile?"
Asia smiled softly:
— "All in due time, EYAS… rushing won't help!"
EYAS almost asked a fourth question, but Rashad interrupted:
— "Curiosity will hurt you more than help now…"
EYAS stared at him, then whispered:
— "Are you… one of the Emperors?"
Rashad smiled without answering, and EYAS understood he wouldn't get more. He stood:
— "I guess I need some sleep…"
He quietly withdrew to his room, leaving Rashad and Asia in calm silence.
Asia looked out the window:
— "You revealed more than you should…"
Rashad smiled:
— "I got carried away…"
Asia sighed, staring into the night:
— "The road ahead of him is still long…"
---
Midnight came. Silence enveloped the house, only the cold wind whistling through the windows. In his room, EYAS tossed and turned amid familiar nightmares, sweat dripping from his brow, hands trembling.
Suddenly, his face glowed red… the screen appeared again.
> 𒀀𒀭𒈹𒆠𒅗 — Status Analysis: (15.5%) — 𒊕𒋗𒍪𒈾
The light flickered across his anxious features for a moment before fading slowly, leaving the room shrouded in darkness.
End of Chapter Eleven
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