Tower of Avarice: A LitRPG story

Chapter 118 – Floor 11: Part 2

“The Anti-Life reside in a plane of existence beneath our own, mirroring our reality. It seeks to consume creation and is a threat unlike any you have ever faced before.” The A.I. paused as a loud ‘Ding’ rang loudly throughout the Atrium.

Objective: Enter the Singularity.

The Anti-Life. A perversion of sentience and existence that cannot join with this universe without subsuming it. The Vessel ‘Stalwart Wayfarer’ will enter the Singularity, bringing with it the ‘World Tree’ that is capable of fusing with the portal and sealing the Dimensional Tear.

As Mathew was reading, a voice interrupted him.

“What do you need us for? You’re piloting this boat, why don’t you get some of these shiny tin cans to help?” Someone from the crowd asked, their voice echoed through the speaker systems of the robots so that everyone gathered could hear.

“Entering the Singularity has a destructive impact on technological systems. This vessel, and all non-organics on board, will not survive the journey. There is no one else available to assist with this endeavour.” Stalwart Wayfarer explained, and the crowd murmured at the answer.

“The gods have offered your assistance, and you will all be well compensated in return.” The A.I. concluded. The images on the windows shifted and changed, revealing another incredible sight as it replaced the Black Hole.

The planet shown was nothing like the Seventh Floor, which Mathew thought was the worst place that could possibly exist.

The ground was cracked, and rivers of magma flowed across the surface. Geysers of steam and superheated water shot into the air toward a clouded sky dyed red from the hellscape below it. Obsidian rock jutted like daggers from the earth.

Mathew wasn’t sure where this image was taken from, but without context from Stalwart Wayfarer, he would have guessed it was from Hell itself.

But it was something else that drew his attention. A towering object that made every Player take note and become filled with greed and desire.

It was Crystallized Aether. Wreathed in a blue haze, it emerged from blackened soil like a mountain into a sky on fire. There was more in this one location than Mathew had ever seen.

“This object is the source of the Singularity's power and the soil where the World Tree will take root. In exchange for your assistance, the Aether within will be offered to the Tower of Avarice and its Champions.”

“Although, this enterprise will not be easy. The Anti-Life consumes Aether as a catalyst for its transformation, a fuel to maintain its physical form. This Aether is also an incentive for your success; you may use all the Aether you obtain from your efforts.” Stalwart Wayfarer finished.

Mathew studied the image carefully, assessing the coming challenge, before a question slipped out of his mouth.

“Where is the Anti-Life?” Mathew muttered, and the robot in front of him turned its attention toward him.

“Observe, a creature of the Anti-Life.”

The image shifted again, and Mathew nearly gagged in disgust at what was shown. The Anti-Life was a mockery of the creatures and monsters Mathew had seen in the past Floors. Its flesh sagged and oozed from its misshapen bones.

It walked on two legs, with four long arms that dragged slightly on the ground. It had multiple eyes that reminded Mathew of a spider and long fangs that dripped saliva. A bright red tongue flicked out from between its lips to taste the air like a snake.

The ‘Buzz’ exploded through Mathew’s mind, causing him to nearly fall from the sudden onslaught of terror that rose within him. He stumbled and was forced to grip the Atrium’s railing to remain upright. Next to him, Rehn let out a huff and covered her eyes with a hand as she tried to still the tide of emotions.

Nearly half of the assembled Players fell to the ground from the shock or overwhelming power of the ‘Buzz.’ Of those still standing, most showed signs of dismay or distress. There were only a handful that had no reaction, scowling or emotionless, staring at the image of the Anti-Life monster.

“My apologies, but I felt that it was important to prepare you for the trials ahead.” Stalwart Wayfarer stated, wiping away the image of the monster and replacing it with the calming vista of space.

“Christ! That thing is worse than anything on the Seventh Floor.” Mathew muttered to himself as he released the railing and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. He hadn’t felt that out of his depth since the first Floor when he had been confronted by Players much higher than himself.

“How are you doing?” Mathew asked Rehn as the young woman rubbed her palm wearily across her forehead.

“Better now that it has been removed from sight. I’ve never felt such an intense response before. It was like I was standing in front of a creature of pure malice and powered by Aether.” Rehn explained.

“We’ll need to watch each other’s backs, Rehn.” Mathew offered, and the Psion nodded.

“And work on improving our levels and Blessings. It felt as if the difference between us and it was a chasm that couldn’t be crossed.” Rehn disclosed, and she shivered slightly in fear.

“It's always bad when a Floor just begins. We cut down a few of them and improve using the harvested Aether, and we’ll be fine.” Mathew assured her, but Rehn wasn’t convinced. She could sense the unease within him that he was trying to hide.

“At least we aren’t alone in our misery.” Rehn said, drawing Mathew’s attention to the sorry state of the other Players. Several were just being roused from where they had fallen onto the ground. It was easy to tell who was severely under-leveled in the coming conflict.

“We will be arriving in two days. I suggest you all rest and prepare.” With that, Stalwart Wayfarer departed, and the robots returned to their state of unthinking, mechanical husks. Filing out of the Atrium, they left the Players to discuss what would happen next.

Rehn showed Mathew to the rest area, which consisted of separate bedrooms with only a small bed and an individual washroom facility.

After being on the Ninth floor for over a decade, Mathew missed his large bedroom and comfortable furnishings, but the room at least had a hot shower, something that his magical mansion lacked. Standing under the stream of warm water, he felt himself relax for the first time since he had arrived.

Wrapped in a towel, Mathew stared out of the large window of his room and thought about how he would survive this Floor. The creatures waiting for them on the other side of the Singularity were beyond him at the moment, meaning that Mathew would need to get stronger quickly to survive.

But he lacked the Aether to do so. He had used everything he had leveling up, and the little he had hoarded wouldn’t purchase him any of the new Blessings available.

“I need to learn to use these new abilities.” Mathew whispered. With a goal in mind, he turned away from the window and stood in front of a small mirror above the sink.

“Alter Self.”

Mathew started small. He changed the shape of his nose, the curve of his lips and the colour of his skin. He made his hair longer, then shorter. He became deeply tanned, then pale white. For hours, he practiced, and when he grew tired, he slept. But his waking moments were spent practicing.

By the second day, he had learned the limits of his new abilities. He could change his appearance dramatically, but it didn’t last long. The most time he could maintain his transformation was an hour, and the more severe the alterations, the less time Mathew could hold it.

The experimentation with the Blessings boundaries led him to its true combat capabilities.

Mathew made his skin thicker and more durable. He used the Blessing to enhance his bones and muscles. He covered his body in hard spikes, his hands into claws, and even grew a long tail with a barbed end.

He took inspiration from the Fiends he had faced on the Seventh Floor and the Demon Lord Mercy when she given into her blood's corruption.

In order to survive against the Anti-Life, Mathew temporarily changed his form into a monster.

Looking at himself in the mirror, unrecognizable from the alterations he had crafted of his flesh, Mathew was alerted by a ship-wide announcement.

They had arrived at the Singularity.