"In the tower, the normal way for one to become a Dreamer is through death. Only through death can one be judged either worthy or unworthy. The worthy become Dreamers while the unworthy, disappear…"
This was all the things Mikael already knew or was there something else he had missed.
"This would have been a fair basis to birth Dreamers, but when has the tower ever been fair. When has humanity ever been equal? This disparity among Dreamers comes because of the existence of Dreamers themselves. "
Mikael was coming to understand something, a hint in his earlier question as well as what her words were trying to say.
"Humans as natural animals exhibit one of the most robust reproductive phases. Dreamers, being natural humans also experience the same. These same Dreamers have children together and maybe even as a cruel joke by the tower to these children, they are not born as Dreamers. "
Mikael was strangely amused and at the same time he felt a creeping shiver. A silent dread at what he was understanding from her words.
"Earlier you said the only way to become a Dreamer is through death, so does that mean…? "
"Exactly, most of the children of this Dreamers are raised to become nothing more than future Dreamers, either to aid the factions that raised them or to be of use to their parents themselves." Zoe had a cold expression as she spoke.
"To further raise the probability of such children becoming Dreamers after their deaths, these children are raised under the harshest conditions and even what some may call monstrous. All this in their judgement increases the chances of them having higher worth and being able to be chosen as a Dreamer. "Zoe now smiled cruelly, sarcastically at what she was saying, a madness growing in her beautiful amber eyes.
Mikael did not look away; he could not because what he was seeing was too enchanting. Her words were like music to his ears, a combination of cruelty and sadism that Mikael did not care much for, and why should he? Was his childhood not even more brutal than theirs?
But there was something that bothered Mikael from Zoe's explanation. The implications of her knowledge was what bothered him.
"Were you one of those children?" Mikael was curious. Would this be the explanation for what made Zoe seem so interesting to him? Could this be an explanation for the malice he felt from her? Dis Zoe hate her parents for doing what they had done to her and finally killing her?
It would be quite a boring conclusion. He hadn't even tried to figure it out!
Their eyes met once again, and Zoe had that look, blank, lacking light. It was more like the look a corpse would give you.
"No, I wasn't one of those children. "Zoe finally said simply and broke of their stare off. She turned to look back at the crowds of Dreamers, and she had a far-off look. 'So dramatic.' Mikael thought keeping this to himself.
He took the time to go back to his own thoughts and the added information he had acquired. While it might have been interesting to know that there was existence of such people among the gathered group, it did not change much in the end. It just made him expand his planning and strategizing.
Experiencing what he had already experienced, it seemed things would not be as simple as he believed they would be.
"You aren't a tower born Dreamer…are you? "Zoe suddenly asked, a sort of expectant tone in her voice. Mikael was sure his earlier question was answer enough.
"No, to my knowledge I was born outside the Tower. "Mikael was sure of that answer.
Zoe looked like she was thinking over something, her body language said so, it only took a while and then she visibly relaxed, letting out a deep breath. Had she finally concluded.
"Have you checked all available system functions. "Zoe looked more relaxed, as if the knowledge that he was not tower born had made him easier to talk to.
"Apart from the Status sheet, nothing else. "Mikael replied easily.
"Hmm, check your equipped Items section. "Zoe instructed and Mikael quickly scrolled to the other options offered. He could see functions such as storage, map, identification, market, Friends list and chat functions were all available to him currently. The ones locked were the market and chat functions. Mikael could already understand mostly what each individual function did, so it was easy for him to use them.
But he did as Zoe said, and Mikael quickly found that the items in his storage, a new piece of combat gear he had been wearing was a sort of item, and checking further, he found a free weapon offered by the system, it was a standard broad sword.
[[
Item: Basic Combat wear
Grade: Low tier- White
Specifications: A standard light green protective wear that offers resistance to high and low temperatures. Also offers protection against harsh impact and reinforced with a particulate reinforced fibers for better resistance.
Effects: Increased resistance against blunt damage, blast damage and stabbing damage.
Requirement: None
Attributes: None
Quality: 70%
]]
[[
Item: Claymore
Grade: Middle Tier- Colorless
Specifications: The blade is made of high carbon steel, weights about 3 kg, has a blade length of approximately 145cm. The blade is straight and broad with a double-edged profile and the cross guard is long, forward-sloping arms that ended in a quatrefoil shape. The blade is in good condition.
Effects: 2% increase in cutting efficiency, Deals a standard 20 units of damage for each cut
Requirement: Strength 9, Physique 10
Attributes: None
Quality: 80%
System Remarks: Slice, slice slice~
]]
"You must have realized that only the storage and identification functions are available currently, that's normal. You'll get to learn more about the rest later." Zoe answered an unasked question. Her brows furrowed suddenly as if she just remembered something.
"Don't trust the Identification function too much, it's…" She was struggling with the correct words to use. He nodded with curios look.
"Why's that, shouldn't it be useful." That was at least what Mikael believed from the information he had in his mind. Identification was a way to simply have a glimpse at another person's Stats. It would also allow you to get descriptions from items, like the claymore for instance.
"Well… first of theirs the fact that it can act as a discouraging factor in a fight… there's also the fact that it may provide wrong information on Dreamers active attributes…and the system like to put strange remarked occasionally." Zoe looked embarrassed as she said the last parts of her explanation.
"Hmm." Mikael only hummed in reply, his mind churning once more. 'Privilege is truly a strange thing' He thought seeing all the unlocked functions. He also now understood that he should take the Identification function more as a reference than as a fact. Mikael believed that his own ability to perceive the strength of opponents was quite good though.
"Are you sure you want to form a team with me Mikael. "Zoe asked, her voice low as if she was giving him a last chance to back out.
Mikael turned to look once more into her eyes. He confirmed with his new ability that her hate was still present, and he nodded vigorously. A small smile rose from him.
"Yeah, I'm very sure."
............…
POV: Zoe
Her name, her origins, her purpose, her death. None of that mattered. But a thought had grown within her as she continued to talk to the man she now knew was called Mikael.
'Could even she be so lucky. '
.......
Mikael soon came to understand another system function. The presence of a contract. Mikael and Zoe had signed a contract, the agreement behind it quite simple. For the duration of the mission, they would not harm each other, all loot acquired would be divided among them and if any of them were in danger they would have to help each other. The contract was quite simple and practical. The fact that the system enforced the contract and penalties or punishment would be imposed on the one that broke it made it quite useful. It wasn't airtight but it was practical.
So, the two remained in silence, one seemingly lost in thought and the other taking all in what was happening from his surroundings.
What were they waiting for, nothing. Mikael was thinking over all that was happening, taking in what he was learning while Zoe was moping in her own thoughts. Sometimes they would speak occasionally, nothing of importance.
Mikael was also trying to make use of the Identification system function, trying to gleam something from the other Dreamers, but his search ended in failure. A system screen with the words Unavailable was all that met him.
"We should go," Mikael stood up as he patted away the dust that covered his clothes. He had mostly been observing how the others behaved. Some disappearing further into the cave through a passageways and others who walked outside to what he believed was the main exit
He had waited in the cave for too long, the main reason being to wait for such a time. He could hear the growing commotion that was happening outside the cave. And he was also constantly using his new skill in the surrounding, and it was surprisingly effective. This was despite the drain it made on his SP reserves.
The skill itself was like a virtual map formed in his head. That did lead to new discoveries of this place he was currently in.
The knowledge of the tower born Dreamers Zoe had given him had only made Mikael realize one important fact, there were Dreamers who were better prepared than him for what could possibly happen next.
So, Mikael did the most reasonable action of letting such people do the hard heavy work instead of himself running round in circles. And he also had a plan.
Zoe nodded as she stood to follow him outside the cave, their interaction had grown smoother after their conversation.
Mikael noticed an interface sprouting as the shouting ahead became easier to discern
[[The Cave of Genessis is currently a safe area]]
He blinked in mild amusement at the interface, his thoughts of using more drastic measures to handle the rest disappearing. He believed some of the others that walked out of the cave at the same time also felt the same. The killing intent in the air was almost suffocating. But the word currently was truly worrying. Could this fact change.
He had a feeling that whatever happened next would only be the beginning of an exceedingly long challenge. And seeing the system did not want them to kill each other for now, only made Mikael more resolute on his conclusion.
His chest swelled with excitement as he stood at the entrance of the cave. The golden rays of sunshine feeling angelic on his now sensitive skin, and he couldn't help but open his arms wide as if in praise. This feeling reminded him of the cold white room, and his mood lowered slightly.
This obviously attracted weird gazes from anyone who looked at him. He was even sure Zoe had slightly taken her distance as she avoided looking in his direction.
He felt a burning sensation in his chest, an overwhelming emotion filling his entire being. It was suffocating, but he didn't want to suppress it.
Yes, he would no longer suppress it. He refused to hold back from now on.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Mika said silently, gazing at the lush forest in front of him. The trees towered overhead, crowded together, allowing almost no light to touch the ground.
His words were directed at Zoe, and he could feel her judging gaze upon him. It had never left him, but this time it felt particularly critical as if she were questioning her decision to form a team with him.
But who was he to judge?
He also wondered if he was entirely sane sometimes.
Still, she nodded in agreement and stood beside him, both gazing at the forest.
[[
*You have reached the designated checkpoint for the trial mission to begin. *
Description: The Forest of Genesis and Cave of Genesis are a system prepared ground for the First Worth mission for the Dreamers. Both Locations have existed since the First Originals arrived at The Tower of Dreams, and the location will be reset back to its natural state once all surviving Dreamers manage to leave the area.
Main Mission: Pass through the Forest of Genesis and reach the second checkpoint where you will find the second group to welcome you there.
Side Mission: Complete the mission with the shortest time possible.
Side Mission: Explore the Cave of genesis and the Forest of genesis
Side Mission: Slay the area Boss and his minions.
Mission Difficulty: E
Mission Time Limit: 3 days
Mission Hint: Light and Heat
Mission Hint: A big group isn't such a bad thing
Mission Hint: Nature is an ally to humanity
Mission Reward: To be decided upon completion
Mission Failure: Disqualified as a Dreamer
Warning!!! Your worth will be tested.
]]
Mika smiled, feeling a rush of excitement. Yes, he would win this; he would come out on top as he always had.
"This should be interesting!"
New features appeared once more on his system interference, a map icon, now unlocked and functional.
The map icon beside the mission screen indicated the general direction they needed to go, but there was no specific route or path to follow. It seemed that it would be all the help they were going to get.
From the mission itself, he could infer a lot, such as the existence of a living species that resided in the forest. Were they hostile? The answer was most likely yes, based on the hints they had been given. Did it mean they should only travel during the day? Was it suggesting that the inhabitants were only active at night? And what about the consequence of failing, what would happen after being disqualified as a Dreamer?
There were too many questions and too few answers. Mikael now once more looking at the forest felt a rising bad feeling.
"What do you think, Zoe?" he asked, turning to his new companion. His question served two purposes: first, to gauge her reasoning skills, and second, to see if she could come to the same conclusions he had.
And most importantly, Mikael was curious on how more she was aware of.
How vast was her knowledge, this was a question he wanted to ask her, but the time was still too early, he would wait. If everything went as he desired, Zoe would be part of his group for a very long time.
She remained silent for a moment, deep in thought, before speaking.
" First off, we can reason that the forest is home to a species of either people or another species." She was stating the obvious and Mikael waited for her to continue.
"Whether this species is hostile or not we don't know, but we do know that if we follow the side mission, the most likely result will be a fight. But there is a possibility of us completely avoiding the forest people given if we must. The main mission is to get past the forest. Anything else is a bonus. "Zoe finished with a confident tone.
She looked at him, and he nodded, he did feel at ease with the fact of her adding the point of the side mission not being completely mandatory.
He mostly thought the same as her. But there was something else that bothered Mikael, the hints mainly.
"What about the hints? Any ideas?" he asked, genuinely interested.
From the moment he had been speaking with the being, Mikael had made several conclusions off from their conversation.
First, despite the being claiming its nature was solely based on its power, it did not dismiss the relevance of chaos and order.
It only stated that those concepts would not limit their judgment.
A being with such an outlook to his understanding, would either be a tyrant who would do as they pleased, or they would follow a set of rules and regulations imposed on themselves. And from what Mikael had seen, the supreme one was the second.
This meant that whatever sort of sick entertainment the being would get from the Dreamers, it had to be fair in a way that the Dreamers had a way to win.
A small detail that when exploited, would lessen the mission's difficulty, and to him, the hint was that detail.
"I think..." she hesitated, likely unsure of her answer. Mika nodded in encouragement, feeling that the answer she was about to give would be worthwhile. "I think we should use fire."
Zoe looked at Mika, still questioning her own suggestion, uncertain of what she had just said.
Her reason for such a conclusion was based on the hint, light and heat.' Originally, she would have said something like the hint was telling them the best time to travel was during the day but would it have been that simple. No. Something Zoe had learnt about the tower was that nothing would be direct or easy.
In fact, treacherous would be the word Zoe would use to refer to the tower. So, Zoe had come to a more unlikely choice, a choice that still related to the hint.
"Hahaha!" His laughter once again attracted the wrong attention, making anyone close enough keep their distance.
Yes, this was the answer Mika had been hoping for—the only true way to complete the mission. At least to him.Mikael was satisfied with Zoe's answer.
Zoe's expression shifted to one of dismay, Mikael thought she was strangely expressive currently than earlier.
"You are right; we do need fire," he said sincerely. His laughter coming to a stop at the same time.
Her head shot up, searching his eyes for any sign of deceit. Maybe Mika was just agreeing with her to make her feel better, but after staring into his crystal blue eyes for a while, Zoe realized he was being serious.
But Zoe now looked at him oddly, what she had said earlier was more of a suggestion than a fact. Even she was unsure of her answer.
But Mikael had come to that conclusion on seeing the hint.
[Shuffle, shuffle]
Suddenly, a large group of Dreamers burst from the forest, screaming at the top of their lungs. They looked injured and bruised in several places, with parts of their clothes ripped and torn. They scrambled toward the cave entrance, shouting at one another.
"F***! I think something touched my leg?!" exclaimed the first person, sounding incredulous at what had just happened.
"How did they find us that quickly! "
"You Bastard! You said we would be safe during the day " An angry Dreamer shouted at a man who had approached them, tightly holding his collar. The Dreamer had a certain thuggish vibe to him. The Tattoos all over his body and the mean look on his face only made Mikael more confident of this.
" Calm down, calm down. I'm sure we can talk about what happened!" The man who was being held by the collar spoke calmly. He looked relaxed as if everything was under his control.
The movement of the group that had followed behind him was also quite efficient in dissuading the thug-looking Dreamer.
"Hmph" He quickly let go, but there was sweat running down his forehead.
...
A/N: Thank you for reading
A heads up, Terminator arc starts at chapter 10. Right now I'm mostly giving some background to the Tower since it's as important as the Mission worlds.
If you like the book so far, comment, drop some power stones and leave a Review.