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SM/DC Chapter 9 : The Tower's Call
🕑 Added 2025-01-26 00:50:44 +0000 UTCArthur finished his final set of squats and sit-ups, his breath heavy but steady, a testament to the weeks of conditioning he had pushed through. Looking around at the sidelines, he could hear the whispers. "He's been at it for days. A whole week now, nonstop on the track," one person murmured in awe.
Another voice chimed in, "I told you he was training to join the Olympics, man. Guy’s built different."
Arthur rolled his eyes, half amused, half exhausted by the constant attention. He wiped the sweat from his brow and straightened up, allowing his mind to drift for a moment. I’ve been doing this for a week straight... He glanced at the others around him as he caught his breath, the usual hustle and bustle of the school grounds swirling in the background. But then, his thoughts lingered on something that had been bothering him for the past few days.
“I haven't seen Raven in a week” he thought, a slight frown pulling at the corners of his mouth. The last encounter with her had been… strange. She'd left him with more questions than answers, and ever since then, he hadn’t caught a single glimpse of her around the school. He couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something was off, like her watching him wasn’t the end of it. ‘Did she find something out? Is she still keeping an eye on me?’
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a soft ping rang through his mind. His system interface flashed before his eyes, a welcome sight that drew his attention away from his concerns.
[Daily Quest: Completed!]
[You Leveled Up!]
Rewards Granted: Choose One
+5 Ability Points
Blessed Loot Box
Full Recovery
Arthur blinked, looking at the options. He was hardly tired from his training anymore, the days of struggling with basic exercises long behind him. He’d grown stronger, faster, and his stamina had improved exponentially. I’m not exactly exhausted, he thought to himself with a chuckle. I guess it’s about time I open this loot box.
With a flick of his wrist, the box materialized in his hands. He could feel the energy pulse through it as it began to crack open, revealing a gleaming set of armor. The metal was simple yet sturdy, glowing faintly with an almost ethereal light. The armor’s design was functional, built for both protection and mobility. A dark, matte finish with simple yet striking engravings along the shoulders and chest gave it a battle-ready aura.
Knight of Azaroth Armor Set: Increases defense and health by +200.
Arthur ran his fingers along the edges, impressed. “Interesting name, dear system.” he mused. The armor would definitely serve its purpose, he thought, especially in a world where danger lurked around every corner. ‘Guess I can expect some connection to this world in my items...’
He slipped the armor into his system inventory, satisfied for now. But there was more to come. A key glimmered within the loot box, and his eyes widened as he read the name of the dungeon it unlocked.
[Key to Dimensional Dungeon: Tower of Fate] can be used in the abandoned slums of jump city.
Arthur felt the weight of the key’s significance. Tower of Fate? His heart quickened, a sense of urgency pressing down on him. This was it—the next step. He didn’t know exactly what lay beyond, but his instincts told him it was something important. Something that would push him further toward understanding his purpose here, and perhaps, even reveal more about the world he had been reincarnated into.
‘This better be the one I need right now.’
With a mental command, Arthur allocated his ability points, feeling the surge of power as his stats grew stronger. He focused mainly on boosting his strength further; even though his health and agility had seen improvement, he knew that the key to tackling what was ahead would lie in his raw power. Once done, he could feel the weight of the choices he made in his mind—no more wasting time. The Tower of Fate was calling to him, and he was ready to answer.
"I can’t waste any more time," Arthur muttered, determination flooding his veins. "I need to unlock that power now."
****
Arthur moved swiftly through his room, packing essential items into a small, weathered bag: a few days’ worth of non-perishable food, a water bottle, and a couple of sturdy, worn-out tools. The reality of his upcoming journey to the Tower of Fate was beginning to settle in. He’d need supplies to survive the trials ahead, whatever they might be. The last few days had passed in a blur of training, leveling up, and confronting his purpose. Now it was time to take that next step.
As he folded an extra set of clothes into the bag, the sound of footsteps caught his attention. His mother appeared in the doorway, her brow furrowed as she looked at him, eyes scanning his preparations.
"Arthur? Where are you going, packing like that?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity.
Arthur straightened up and turned to face her, offering a casual smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Just a trip I planned, Mom. Nothing major."
His mother looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. There was a slight hesitation in her eyes before she let out a quiet sigh. "A trip, huh... well, be careful, okay?" She gave him a soft smile, though something about it seemed distant, as if she didn’t quite understand the changes in her son. "You’ve changed a lot lately."
Arthur didn’t comment on that. He had changed, and he knew it. In a world like this, it was either adapt or get left behind. But he didn’t want to dwell on the past. His mind was too focused on what lay ahead.
As he zipped up the bag, ready to leave, he glanced at his mother again, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Hey, Mom... about my brother... you said he’s busy, right?"
His mother’s expression shifted, a shadow crossing her face. "Oh, you know already." She sighed, looking down for a moment as if weighing how much to say. "Your brother rarely comes back home these days... he’s always tied up with running the company. You know how it is." She paused before adding, "He’s just... busy with his responsibilities."
Arthur didn’t press further. Something about his brother’s absence never quite sat right with him, but now wasn’t the time to dig deeper into family matters. He nodded and muttered, "Alright."
Inwardly, however, a small, nagging thought lingered. ‘Why do I feel like something strange is going on with my family?’ His brother’s absence felt like more than just work, and his mother’s distant tone raised more questions than answers. But the time for those thoughts would come later. Right now, there was a greater, more pressing matter to deal with.
"Alright, I’ll be leaving now," Arthur said, his voice steady, even though his mind was swirling with uncertainty.
His mother nodded, offering a soft but reassuring smile. "Take care of yourself, Arthur. And remember... be safe."
As he stepped onto the streets, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the world around him was about to shift again.
The abandoned slums of Jump City... Arthur thought to himself as he made his way toward the outskirts of the city. It was there that he’d begin his journey. His mind raced, full of thoughts and questions about what awaited him.
The air was thick with a heavy, stagnant energy, the kind that only places left forgotten by time could hold. And yet, he didn’t hesitate. This was the place—the place where his journey would truly begin.
The faint hum of the key in his pocket grew louder with every step. Arthur’s fingers brushed the cool metal, and a strange sensation washed over him. The air felt charged, like static before a storm. His heart picked up pace, a familiar excitement bubbling in his chest. This was it. He could feel it—the unmistakable pull of destiny.
