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Floor 4: Obelisk Defense

Objective: Defend the Obelisk from the Monster Waves.

Optional Objective: Defeat additional waves after the first.

Reward:

Common Rank I Soulseed (Low-Grade)

Additional rewards vary based upon performance

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The fourth floor challenge appeared to be built upon a never-ending wave of monsters. Awards were based on how many waves were defeated before the Obelisk was destroyed. An additional stream of information informed him that the Monster Waves would start off relatively weak, but would gradually grow more powerful as they progressed. He would be given a specific amount of time to defeat the Wave before the next one appeared.

With the possibility of large rewards on the table, along with Dharen’s recently updated attributes, he decided that a new visit to the Shop was in order. In this case, he determined that he would take a gamble. Though whether he would be able to transport his own belongings with him into the fourth floor was unknown, the cost in Tokens to purchase an effective weapon could be well worth it.

Dharen accessed the Shop via the crystal embedded in the wall. Just as before, a variety of menus appeared. He delved into the Armaments section, looking for anything that caught his eye. A few items within his price range captured his attention.

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“Umbral Messenger”

~Dagger Type~

18,000 Tokens

Forged in darkness and imbued with a Seed of Lethargy, this blade improves the effectiveness of shadow-aspected abilities. There is a 5% chance to cause enemies to fall asleep when cut.

“Hammer of Restraint”

~Polearm Type~

20,000 Tokens

Twisted by a Seed of Anticipation, this large warhammer suffers a penalty in return for greater power in the future. Each swing of the hammer that connects with an object deals -50% damage. Every fifth swing deals +200% damage.

“Steadfast Bulwark”

~Shield Type~

22,500 Tokens

Altered with a Seed of Steadfastness, the material of this shield has become highly resistant to damage and unlikely to bend or break.

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Dharen took a moment to consider each option. Umbral Messenger appealed to him, mostly due to his prior experience with daggers. A partner for his other current dagger could be particularly helpful. And, with how likely it was that the increase to shadow-aspected abilities would come in handy after he shifted his focus to Fear, it had tempting effects. The former street rat couldn’t help but feel a sense of allure from the ability to send opponents to sleep, either. Though a 5% chance was fairly low, daggers could be quite fast and the ability might activate more often than expected.

The Hammer of Restraint was a bit of an odd choice. He had no prior experience with warhammers, beyond the general knowledge that he should hit things with the large end. However, he could see many uses for the somewhat-hobbling trait. It would be a heavy blow to suffer a 50% damage decrease on the majority of his swings, but the variations in his swing strength could serve to surprise an enemy.

Lastly, Dharen examined the Steadfast Bulwark. After seeing the effectiveness of the armored warrior from the Khargen cave’s shield, he could not discount the potential. The Bulwark appeared to be a scutum - a large and rectangular, semi-cylindrical shield. With increased durability and defense, it would be an impressive defensive tool to have in his arsenal.

After fully contemplating his options, Dharen chose to purchase the Hammer of Restraint. Though losing half of the hammer’s damage for most of his swings was concerning, he felt that it would be worth the risk. With his newfound strength, which would only grow greater, he had become almost as powerful as eight normal men. Even reducing his strength by half would still allow him to deal powerful blows. And when every fifth swing could hold surprising power, he could be quite unpredictable to an unfamiliar enemy. Pure and simple, it was built-in sandbagging.

The large two-handed warhammer, which he chose to merely call “Restraint”, appeared in his hands. The six foot long stoutwood shaft gave way to a vicious hammerhead styled similarly to a lucerne hammer. Heavy and foreboding, the front-facing blunt end gave way to a curve spike on the backside, with a piercing spike placed upon the top. He hefted it in his grip, becoming acquainted with its weight. After a few practice swings, he rolled his shoulders and made his way to the fourth floor door.

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Accept Floor 4 Challenge?

Remaining Time: 30 minutes

Refusal will result in being ejected from the Tower

(Y/N)

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After indicating his acceptance and the subsequent lightshow, Dharen found himself beside a large stone obelisk. The structure pierced upwards into the sky like an arrow, with a beam of white light soaring from the tip. Taking stock of his surroundings, he found himself in a large cavern that opened up into the sky. Glowing stones were set into the walls at regular intervals, casting eerie shadows, while sunlight flooded down from the breach in the ceiling. The cavern led into a wide tunnel, and Dharen began to follow its twists and turns. After a short time, he found himself outside.

The dank cave gave way to rolling plains and his boots scuffed on the grass surrounding the entrance to his temporary underground home. In the distance, another obelisk rose. This one released an ominous stream of black light. As he observed the sinister monument, he received a message.

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Wave 1: Beginning Now

Enemies: Ferran

Number: 5

Awakened: 0

Next Wave In: 1 hour

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The foreboding monolith let out a wave of black light, and in the next moment five Ferran appeared. They were canid creatures, if canines had somehow descended into unholy spawn with serrated horns and spiked tails. They moved with a brutal grace, their vigorous steps betraying their nature as dangerous predators. Gray fur, matted with a combination of dried blood and other unidentified substances, draped a heavily muscled body. Sniffing the air, they turned towards Dharen. As one, they howled.

The earth shredded as they rushed forward, claws tearing through the soil. Each step propelled them forward in leaps and bounds, eating through the distance just as quickly as they wished to eat through Dharen. Powerful jaws salivated as their lips formed malevolent snarls.

Startled, Dharen momentarily took a step back. Then, after regaining his mental faculties, he took a step further. Retreating back into the tunnel entrance was his best option at the moment. It was clear that these creatures were pack-like monsters, and as such would attempt to surround him before ripping him to shreds. To avoid that fate, he continued to move backwards through the cave until he reached the first twist in the tunnels.

He took the moment remaining to prepare himself. He tapped the butt of Restraint’s shaft into the stone floor, sending a clang echoing through the tunnels. Lifting it up in a two-handed grip, he took a swing at the cave wall. With his enormous strength, the warhammer shattered small portions of the wall despite the weapon’s inherent reduction in his power. Three more swings and a small pile of rubble later, he turned to face forward with his hammer at the ready.

It wasn’t long before the scrabbling and skittering of claws on stone filled the quiet air. Sweat trickling down his skin, Dharen flexed his fingers and strengthened his grip upon Restraint. The din of scratching claws grew ever louder. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Muscles bunched and bulged. He took a powerful step and, while doing so, twisted while rearing the massive hammer back. His core strained as his muscles coiled vigorously. He began his swing, letting out a Warcry. Even greater strength flooded his veins. Restraint’s passage ripped a scream from the air. A Ferran bounded around the corner, encountering the hammer on its violent journey.

Dharen’s Warcry had increased his attributes by 10%, as well as decreasing the Ferran’s attributes by 12%. None of that mattered. He had swung for the fences with the strength of more than eight men. But it was Restraint itself that turned the tide. Lines of power burst to life upon the hammer’s shaft, tracing their way in arcane swirls and twists to the Seed of Anticipation embedded within. The soulseed was the color of the setting sun, a brilliant orange that held a promise of a bright future. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the Ferran’s future.

Restraint’s journey through the air met an abrupt end, connecting with the Ferran’s canid skull. Hammer met head with the strength of twenty-five men. The monster’s skull collapsed inward, sending a spray of blood and brains outwards in a cone. The cave wall was splattered with the mixture, creating an abstract painting of destruction.

For a moment, Dharen gaped at the gruesome result. In the next, the remaining four Ferran had turned the corner. He leaped backwards, his strengthened legs allowing him to quickly create distance. The creatures examined their obliterated companion, growls ripping from their throats. Turning towards Dharen, they lowered themselves to the floor with teeth bared in preparation to attack.

While gripping Restraint’s upper shaft with a single hand against his wrist and forearm, he pointed the vicious spike attached to its head at one of the Ferran near the back.

“Come and get me!” He shouted, sending out a Challenge. The monster bulged and rippled, growing larger than its brethren. The horns that split forward from the sides of its head sharpened to vicious points, and the spikes upon its tail formed barbarous barbs. Dharen looked on with trepidation, beginning to believe that he may have made a mistake.