Zero emerged from the Guardian chamber, stepping into a narrow corridor lined with uneven stone tiles. The air smelled faintly metallic, and the faint hum of the Tower's energy vibrated through the floor, underfoot, guiding him forward. Each footfall was deliberate, measured, as his gray eyes scanned for traps, patterns, and potential threats.
Ahead, several doorways branched off, each marked with runes similar to those he had seen on the Guardian's armor. Symbols glowed faintly, hinting at both danger and opportunity. Zero paused, calculating. Which path would maximize survival and growth? Which would expose him to the right challenges without unnecessary risk?
Probability assessment complete. He chose the doorway on the left, leading into a wider chamber.
The Puzzle Chamber
The room was circular, with high ceilings stretching into darkness. In the center, a pedestal rose from the floor, bearing a translucent orb pulsing with energy. Around the edges of the chamber, faint lines etched into the floor formed a complex network of circuits, glowing with intermittent light.
Zero's eyes narrowed. A puzzle. Not combat—but observation and intellect.
As he stepped forward, the floor tiles beneath him lit briefly, then dimmed. The orb's pulse quickened. A voice echoed, resonant and mechanical:
"To proceed, one must align the paths. Observe, calculate, act. Failure brings elimination."
Zero tilted his head slightly, expression impassive. "Observation is already underway," he murmured. His mind raced, analyzing patterns, testing sequences in thought. Each tile lit in a predictable pattern, the energy flowing from the orb through the etched lines. Timing, sequence, and pressure points all needed to align perfectly.
Other Regulars entered behind him, some rushing, others cautious. One, a young climber with a bow, rushed to trigger tiles randomly. Sparks erupted, arcs of energy striking the walls and narrowly missing him. Another tried to brute-force the pattern, jumping across tiles recklessly. He was thrown back, scraping against the walls as the orb pulsed angrily.
Zero's gray eyes scanned every detail. He stepped forward deliberately, placing his feet lightly but precisely, testing sequences mentally before committing. Slowly, he traced the energy flow with his sword tip, the black steel humming faintly in response to the Tower's energy.
Precision and Patience
Step by step, Zero traced the correct path, avoiding hazards, redirecting energy flows with minimal movement. Others followed, some reluctantly, realizing his methodical approach was correct. Within minutes, the orb glowed steadily, its pulse synchronizing with Zero's heartbeat—or at least the rhythm his senses interpreted.
A loud click resonated through the chamber. The pedestal lowered, revealing a staircase descending further. The floor tiles reset, but no further hazard emerged.
Kalen, who had observed from the entrance, shook his head in disbelief. "That… that was perfect. Cold, methodical… he didn't rush, didn't panic. Most climbers would've been fried in seconds."
Zero did not acknowledge him. His eyes already scanned the staircase below, calculating angles, estimating potential enemies, and identifying probable traps.
The Tower tests intellect as much as strength. Remember this.
Encounters With Other Regulars
As Zero descended, other climbers began to approach, curiosity—and cautious respect—evident on their faces. One spoke up, voice slightly trembling:
"You… you handled the Guardian and the puzzle perfectly. Who are you?"
Zero's gray eyes fixed on the climber. "I am Zero. My goal is to climb, observe, and survive. Everything else is secondary."
Some nodded, impressed. Others frowned, sensing his cold personality. He offered no further explanation. Words were unnecessary. Actions, strategy, and efficiency spoke louder than chatter.
A taller Regular, arms crossed, stepped closer. "You don't even seem… human. Most of us panic, sweat, fear. You…" His gaze narrowed. "You're different."
Zero's lips barely moved. "Difference is survival. Remember that."
The climber's expression darkened, sensing both warning and challenge. Alliances were fragile here. A single misstep, a single wrong word, could create enmity or even death. Zero understood this, and he let no sentiment cloud his calculations.
Hints of Tower Politics
As the group moved forward, Kalen whispered beside Zero, almost conspiratorially:
"You should know… the Tower isn't just tests. Some floors favor factions, alliances, or the clever manipulations of others. Watch your back. Even a fellow Regular can be a threat if the reward is worth it."
Zero's gray eyes flickered with interest. Factions, politics… variables to analyze, tools to exploit. He already began forming mental models of potential alliances, rivalries, and leverage points.
He did not seek friendship—at least not yet. Cold calculation dictated that relationships were currency, not sentiment. Power, information, and position mattered far more than camaraderie.
The First Hint of Hidden Ability
Descending further, Zero's senses tingled—a subtle vibration in the Tower itself, like a pulse resonating with his presence. His sword hummed faintly, responding to an unseen frequency.
He paused, eyes narrowing. There is more to this Tower than mere floors and puzzles.
Energy swirled faintly along the walls, almost imperceptible. Zero reached out subtly with his senses, detecting the patterns of the Tower itself—its flow of energy, the hidden currents guiding tests and traps alike.
This… is not just survival. This is domination of the rules.
Zero felt a thrill—not of excitement, but of precision. Everything has a pattern. Everything can be calculated. And I… will master it all.
Part 4 Ending
The staircase ended at a massive gate, inscribed with glyphs that glimmered faintly. Beyond it, faint sounds of other climbers' struggles echoed. The next floor promised both danger and opportunity.
Zero adjusted the grip on his sword, expression impassive, gray eyes sharp. He did not hesitate. He stepped forward, ready to face the next test.
Every floor, every challenge, every climber… was a variable to control. And Zero intended to calculate them all.
The Tower was alive. And he… would conquer it.
[To be continued in Part 5