The battlefield never slept.
Even under the shroud of artificial twilight, war cries echoed from distant zones of the floor. Explosions of light and corrupted mana rose like flares as factions clashed over relics and Writs of Dominion.
Ankit sat cross-legged under a ruined war monument—an old statue of a forgotten general holding a flag of peace. Now, its arms had shattered, and moss devoured its face.
He wasn't meditating.
He was watching.
"Not gonna sleep?"
Vanya Rathore crouched nearby, still in light armor, her Mirror Spear resting against a broken pillar.
"I rest when it's safe," Ankit said without looking at her. "And I don't trust factions."
Vanya smirked faintly. "Smart. You're not wrong. Tejas? He's strong, but he's not the type to share the top."
📜 Emotional Bond: First Thread – Vanya Rathore
As the only non-violent member of Ashfang Kin, Vanya often healed or protected allies without fanfare. But behind her silence was an analytical mind, and she'd taken notice of Ankit during the Bannerhound fight.
That night, she sat beside him, offering half a dried mana fruit.
"You're different from the others."
Ankit stared at the fruit, took it, and spoke flatly, "You're not like them either."
"Good. Then let's not get killed helping idiots."
That moment didn't change much on the surface.
But something small and real had begun.
📍 Flash Side Story: The Price of Cowardice
Elsewhere on the battlefield, a boy named Rahul Bhattacharya—another Indian climber from Kolkata—was watching his last companion get devoured.
He had refused to help. Frozen.
His bloodline? A powerful one—Chrono Pulse—that could slow down time around enemies.
But fear… fear overruled talent.
Now, alone and sobbing with regret, he heard the Tower whisper:
[You have failed to protect your team.]
[Penalty Activated: Memory Graft – You will relive their deaths every midnight until Floor 4.]
He would later become someone else entirely.
Not an ally.
Not anymore.
Back in Ankit's group, dawn arrived on Floor 2 like a hammer.
Tower sunlight was cruel—its light revealed weakness more than it gave hope.
Ashfang Kin prepared for a raid.
Tejas stood before the squad of 12, his Infernal Knuckleblades glowing like molten bronze.
"We're heading for the central shrine. Rumor says it spawns an Elite Guardian that drops an Artifact Banner. The Void Marked dogs are already headed there. We take it before they can set up defense."
He looked to Ankit.
"You're fast. You'll flank. Cut down any ranged summoners from the side."
Ankit said nothing.
But he followed.
⚔️ Combat Begins: The Central Shrine Skirmish
Void Marked wasn't a faction—it was a gang.
Imported climbers from Eastern Europe, some from America. Ruthless, violent, and united by shared cruelty.
They had already fortified the shrine: arcane mines, mana barrier walls, and even summoned creatures acting as external guards.
But the moment Ankit slipped past a summoner's blind side and decapitated her with a silent flash, the battle shifted.
[Assassination Successful – Chaos Spread Among Enemy Ranks]
[Progression +4% | Bloodline Sync +2%]
Tejas barreled through the front gate like a flaming meteor.
The battlefield burned.
🧬 Side Skill Acquired: Serpent Dash
Type: Movement
Effect: Blink movement in a curved line.
Bonus: Leaves behind venom residue that slows enemies (-10% speed, 5s).
Mid-battle, Ankit's talwar clashed with another boy's sword—sleek, black, and vibrating with lightning pulses.
The enemy was young—16 maybe—his hair silver, eyes cold and full of purpose.
[Name: Ethan Cross]
[Origin: America – California]
[Weapon: Stormblade (C-Rank)]
[Tower Level: 2]
[Bloodline: Lightning Tyrant – Rare]
[Affiliation: Void Marked Elite]
[Class: Duelist]
[Disposition: Dangerous. Tactical. Views Earth-born climbers as inferior.]
[Future Status: Ankit's Rival]
Ethan grinned as their blades locked.
"So, you're the venom brat they warned me about."
"Then they didn't warn you enough," Ankit replied.
Their fight was short—but electric.
Ethan overpowered him in raw force. Ankit countered with agility and venom.
They clashed thrice—neither gaining advantage.
A stalemate.
Then the Tower rumbled.
[Elite Guardian Spawned: The Banner Fiend]
⚠️ BOSS BATTLE COMMENCING
The central shrine exploded in a blaze of red sigils.
From the flame emerged a towering golem-knight with seven cracked banners nailed into its back. Its sword dragged behind it like a guillotine.
Everyone paused—even Ethan.
[Elite Guardian – Banner Fiend]
Type: Soul-Devourer Construct
Weakness: Banner Anchors
HP: ???
Reward: Rare Artifact Banner + 1 Bonus Writ
Ethan vanished into smoke. "Next time, Indian. You won't walk away."
Tejas growled. "Ankit. We're taking that thing down. Don't hold back."
Ankit's talwar shimmered.
And with a silent nod, he charged again.