Havok Bringer

As I was making my way back to the small island in the center of the swamp, I took some time to check the notifications I had received after killing the Swamp Emperor.

You have defeated Swamp Emperor Crawfish – Tower level 1 guardian.

Experience Earned!

You have received Swamp Emperor Essence – Rare

Description – The Swamp Emperor's Essence is a rare and powerful gift. It can be ingested to unlock sonic abilities, a unique power that resonates with those who possess physical or genetically heightened abilities. This essence will not bond with those who rely on external sources for their strength. The effects may vary if the essence is ingested and the user has not received physical or genetically heightened abilities.

Uses – 1

"Well, that is interesting. So, if I am reading this right, I can give this to someone, and it will awaken an ability? How is that possible?" I asked, "I understand that many of the abilities I have seen are possible because of advanced technology, but this just seems like magic."

"Captain Dawes, what is magic other than a series of actions or events that are outside the scope of what one can explain away with one's own understanding of reality? The inhabitants of numerous galaxies have been traversing the cosmos since before humans discovered fire. There are also infinite dimensions where anything and everything you could imagine is possible. Making small adjustments to the genetic code of a fairly simple species like humans is not a notable task in the grand scheme of things. Also, you just fought a giant crawfish in a pocket dimension dungeon tower, but a potion that gives someone superpowers is what you choose to balk at?"

I took the potion from my inventory and looked at it. It was a small flask that held what appeared to be a thick, yellow ichor. With a confused shake of my head, I put it back in my inventory and returned to my notifications.

Level up – You have reached level 48.

"Nice, I gained three levels! I took a moment to reviewmy stats after the level-up.

Name – Andrew Timothy Dawes

Race – Human

Level – P-45

Class – Havok Bringer

Stats –

Strength – P-49 – 83%

Intelligence – P-49 – 76%%

Dexterity – P-48 – 69%

Defense – P-48 – 83%

Current skills:

Health stim activation

Stamina Stim recovery

Current abilities :

Pulsar Blast – Planetary class ability. Upgrade status – 52%

Big Bang – Planetary class ability. Upgrade progress – 48%

Do Over – Galaxy class ability – Upgrade progress – 0%

Shield of Solaris – Planetary Class Ability -Upgrade Progress 46%

"I can see that my Strength and Intelligence stats are starting to outpace the others. It isn't a huge gap right now, but I can foresee myself running into a logjam soon if I don't start focusing on strategy while I fight.

"Did you misspeak, Captain? You said that your intelligence stat is outpacing other stats?" Sherlock snarkily replied.

"Yes, you ass, that is what I said. The problem is, I am not even sure exactly what drives the intelligence stat."

"I believe in this case, it was the strategy you employed to eliminate the minions of the Swamp Emperor. The system will often reward strategy and planning over brute force. Contrastingly, you utterly failed to mount any sort of defense in your battle, effectively blowing your own arm off to gain an advantage.

"Damn, it's hard enough to stay alive and win a fight. Now, I have to consider if I am blocking enough or doing enough backflips during a fight to drive up my defense and dexterity stats," I shook my head in frustration. "I get it better now, though. I will try to focus exclusively on those stats as I am fighting basic mobs over the next few days. I can't guarantee a strategy like that versus a floor boss, but I can be intentional against weaker enemies to try and level out my stats and avoid a major logjam."

"I believe that to be a good course of action for now. You haven't really managed to develop a distinct, individualized fighting style. You basically just hit things or blow them up until they die. Now that I consider it, you really are not a skilled fighter. You should probably look to remedy that sooner than later," Sherlock replied.

"I was working on that before I was once again transported to an alternate dimension against my will. Kaj was going to start training me, and I really need to focus on that training as soon as I can get back home. For now, I am going to have to do the best I can to get through this. Sherlock, since we're on the subject, what do all these numbers even mean? I know they represent my growth and power, but they seem so large compared to where I started."

"I cannot say that I am capable of giving an acceptable explanation, Captain. I understand the concern, and all I can say is that the straightforward way your stats are displayed is intended to allow users to visualize their progress. Honestly, the data I do have suggests that there hasn't been a system user outside of a few Scandare to achieve level 100. Most users over level 50 are recruited into security forces or retired from system events in favor of their respective governments utilizing them in different capacities. Users who manage to compete and survive multiple dungeons have traditionally been a rarity, so as they get stronger, the resource is diverted. The expense of advancing them is meaningless if they are lost in a dungeon, so to my knowledge, there is no record of an initiate achieving level 100… ever."

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"How is that possible? I am level 36 after just a few months. It would only make sense that there are users out there who are over level 100. I mean, look at Tiff; she is level 50. Kaj is level 63, and I find it hard to believe that there aren't people out in the universe who are levels of magnitude stronger than the two of them."

"There are stronger users in the universe. However, Kaj was only participating in the dungeon as part of his duties to the Malakim Empire. He didn't often participate in Dungeons. Tiff was recruited and trained to be a guardian. Over the course of several years, her rank was elevated to level 50, enabling her to be effective in her role. Believe it or not, those two are outliers. There are entire civilizations that don't have initiated beings, much less two who have surpassed level 50. Scandare are the outliers, and honestly, records on them are almost non-existent. I am aware of their existence only based on the conversations you had with Tiffantrimore."

"That is surprising, but it still doesn't answer my question about the numbers attached to my stats. I have to assume there is some sort of system used to calculate the power relative to the stats."

"I am sorry, Captain. I don't have the necessary data to provide a plausible explanation at this time. I honestly didn't believe you were capable of posing such intelligent and nuanced questions. I guess today is a day full of surprises."

"And just like that, you are back to being an asshole," I sighed and stood up to begin making my way back to the island.

As I waded through the shallow moat, I noticed a new structure in the center of the island. It resembled a black granite slab, approximately eight feet tall and circular. It had the circumference of a large tree, but other than that, it had no discernible features.

"What do you suppose the large, black, ominous rock in the middle of the island is about?"

"Oh, that's right, I forgot to tell you that I was one of the architects of this dungeon tower, and therefore, I know all of its secrets. Why didn't I remember to tell you sooner? Maybe you should just approach it since we are obviously ready to move to the second floor."

"Sherlock… I swear if you had a physical manifestation, I would slap the spit out of your mouth," I said through gritted teeth.

"I would never lower myself and take on the burden of a permanent mortal shell. I am perfection manifest in code," Sherlock replied with an air of superiority.

I approached the obsidian stone, but I got no reaction as I drew near. No lights, no noise, nothing. The rock was just… there.

"Any suggestions?" I said as I stood in front of the stone and inspected it.

"Touch it?" Sherlock replied.

"The last time I touched something mysterious, I wound up in an alternate dimension where aliens have been trying to kill me for merely existing. I don't know if touching it is the best idea."

"Don't be a…how best to put this? Pussy, Captain. Don't be a pussy," Sherlock said.

I sighed through gritted teeth and clenched my fist in frustration, "Did Elvis program you to be an ass on purpose, or did that just happen?"

"Just touch the rock, Captain. I am ready to get out of this swamp."

I slowly reached out and placed my palm on the rock, which immediately began to vibrate. My body tensed as my eyes rolled back in my head. Everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was once again back in the featureless white room that I recognized by now as the Coeus communal space. I saw the glowing orb in front of me and approached.

"So, what now? Why am I back here?"

"Andrew Dawes, congratulations on passing the first floor of the test of power. You will be transported to the second floor shortly, and the trial will resume. Before that, you must choose your reward for passing the first floor. You will have two options and must choose one before continuing with the trial. Once a reward is chosen, you can collect the reward and continue the trial. I must warn you that the rewards are equal to the task completed, but as you may have guessed, the reward will come with a drawback. I believe you have seen this referred to as boons and curses in the past," The Coeus orb said.

"Well, what a surprise! You are going to offer me a reward and then tag on something that handicaps me as I progress. Well, I don't need it, how about that? I am happy just to keep going as I am. I don't need another power that burns me when I use it, or for you to send a friend my way that has no powers and no way to defend themselves. For someone who has decided to help the people of the galaxy, you sure don't make it easy for me. So you know what? Fuck your reward, keep it!" I turned to walk away from the orb. "You can send me back now; I'm done here."

"Andrew Dawes, I offer apologies, but you may not re-enter the trial until you have selected your reward. I understand your trepidation. The curses that have so often been attached to your abilities and rewards can surely be seen as less than ideal. We do believe, however, that these curses have only served to make you stronger. It is our intention to create a weapon that can liberate the inhabitants of this galaxy, but in order to make the most effective weapon, we must ensure that you have been tested and shown the ability to succeed in the face of adversity. It is not our intention to handicap you; rather, we strive to forge a stronger weapon by increasing the adversity that you face early on your path.

I stopped and took a deep breath, dropping my head in thought. I was growing increasingly tired of being forced into situations where I had limited or no control over the choices I made. Still, here I was again. I was being forced to choose a reward that would also bring with it some sort of curse that would definitely suck.

"Fine, what are my options?"

The two reward options scrolled into my field of view.

1. Pass Go!

Do not collect $200. Do not receive any other reward!

You will automatically advance to floor 3.

Warning – by selecting this reward, you will receive no reward and forfeit all level gains from floor 1.

2. Lifeline: Receive assistance for the remainder of the tower. Transport one ally to your location, so they may assist you for the remainder of the tower. This Ally cannot assist you in combat, however, and will be incorporeal outside of safe rooms. You will be able to communicate and see them, but they will be invisible to enemies and unable to affect their surroundings.

Warning - By selecting this ability, you will lose the ability to communicate with the outside world for the duration of the tower trial.

The ability to skip an entire level was enticing, but losing all my gains from that level would be a gut punch. I didn't know when I would be able to fight enemies that would allow me to level up outside of the tower, and I needed every bit of XP I could get. Not only would I lose my gains from level 1, but I would also forfeit any potential gains from the second floor.

The second option made sense. I didn't know how long this tower would last. I needed combat training; I needed someone to help me get better as I got stronger, and I had just the person in mind. Tiff had done so much for me early in my journey, but I didn't need help understanding the system or my abilities; well, I did need those things, but not more than I needed someone to teach me to fight. I knew just who would be joining me in the tower.

"I select option 2. I'm sure you know who I want here with me, so make it happen." I said without turning back to face the orb. Everything went black again, and I found myself standing in front of a large stone entryway with the same iridescent field I saw on the safe room entrance. I couldn't see anything past the archway, but I walked through without a second thought.

Kaj was standing near the campsite talking with Tiff and C.J. when the Pup started its descent. He lifted his wings to cover his head as dust began flying around from the blasts of hot air shooting down from the Pup's propulsion engines.
As the Pup landed, Matty and the rest of the crew began to disembark, walking up and greeting Kaj and the others.
"So, Captain Dawes disappeared into an alternate dimension again? He is making a real habit out of that, isn't he?" Matty said as he grasped Tiff's hand and greeted everyone.
"If Captain had kept me here, he would be safe! Instead, he trusted the Malakim, and now he has disappeared!" Elvis said, eyeing Kaj warily.
"Elvis, I assure you that nobody would have been able to stop what happened to Captain Dawes. Tiffantrimore has been in contact with him, and for now, he is safe," Kaj replied before stumbling and falling to a knee as everyone turned to look at him, "Something is wrong."
Everyone watched Kaj's body become transparent, flickering in and out of existence as he reached toward them and slowly disappeared.
Elvis walked toward the spot where Kaj had just disappeared, "I killed him with my anger," he said as he grimaced and stared intently at his clenched fist.