Chapter 44: Departure
As they stepped into the reward chamber, Mr. Gaston shook his head slightly. He understood why Enber and Xio had acted as they did, though he didn't fully agree. Still, he didn't press the issue. He wasn't their mentor, and no matter how impulsive they had been, they had successfully helped him through the seventh level.
Now that he had cleared it, he had earned several of the Dream Labyrinth Tower's privileges, and his thoughts were already turning toward them.
The moment Enber entered the chamber, however, a barrage of information began murmuring directly into his ears. Fortunately, it wasn't malicious, nor did it contain high-level knowledge or corruption. Otherwise, he would have been forced to activate his Pure White Eye to analyze it, knocking himself unconscious in the process.
So, after the seventh level, you gain minor privileges in the tower... No wonder Mr. Gaston was willing to pay 1,000 pounds for help, Enber thought, finally understanding.
"There are three main privileges," he mused. "First, when entering the tower in the future, one can start from the reward chamber and proceed directly to the sixth level. The first three levels remain accessible, but clearing them again only yields points instead of specific rewards. Those points can be exchanged for targeted knowledge or information. However, repeatedly clearing the first three levels in a short span will earn fewer points each time. Points, huh? Roselle really was designing this like an RPG dungeon..."
"The second privilege allows you to spend points to select a specific type of scene for the first three levels. Since each scene holds unique knowledge, narrowing it down could bring great rewards. For example, selecting a Fourth Epoch scene might reveal hidden historical details. That must be what Mr. Gaston wanted most."
"The third privilege is access to a private storage room inside the tower where items from reality can be kept. It seems less useful unless one intends to grind points long-term. The portal in the basement is fixed in place, so it can't serve as a portable vault."
While processing this, Enber sat down by the bookcase to receive his third reward — and what a reward it was. His eyes gleamed as he read it.
It was detailed information about an anonymous bank account in Beckland, holding 500 pounds. The account had belonged to a gentleman who had recently perished at sea along with his family.
Hah! Does this tower think money is my top priority? Roselle, you're so predictable. Enber scoffed internally, though he carefully memorized the account number and withdrawal code. Money was always welcome, and it was better for him to claim it than let the bank absorb it.
Meanwhile, Xio finished reading her own reward. Her expression mixed happiness with frustration.
"I received the full Sheriff potion formula... At first I was happy, but then I remembered my previous reward, which only gave me one of the main ingredient names. That feels like such a waste now..."
"You didn't just get an ingredient, though. You also learned about Airlan's early life. That might be useful someday," Enber consoled her, though he secretly agreed. It was a bit of a waste, especially since he had planned to tell her the other main ingredient once they returned.
Feeling guilty, Xio set her frustrations aside and asked about Enber's reward. When she heard it was just money, she looked speechless, as though the Dream Labyrinth had lost a great deal of its mystique.
Watching their exchange, Gaston, now more relaxed, smiled. "With the seventh level cleared, our contract is fulfilled. I'll have the 1,000 pounds transferred to Mr. Isengard shortly."
Enber nodded. The payment didn't concern him, since his teacher had already paid him directly. After a moment, he asked, "Mr. Gaston, can we still use the portal in the school's basement to enter the tower in the future?"
Though the portal wasn't Gaston's personal property, he had spent years tracking it down.
"Of course. You're welcome anytime. I'd love to know what lies beyond the seventh level. But from what I've read, the danger is far greater," Gaston replied. Then he gave Enber a knowing look. "I thought you'd be eager to continue. You've changed your mind?"
Enber had indeed considered advancing further, using his familiarity with the "plot." But that changed after he saw the warning sign at the entrance to the sixth level:
1. Once you enter the sixth level, you cannot leave until you either clear it or die.
2. In the sixth level, the boundary between dream and reality blurs. Death here equals death in reality.
3. Beyonder abilities and magical items at Sequence 6 or higher will be suppressed. Only Sequence 7 or below remain usable.
4. Time flows normally in the sixth level. Time spent here will shorten your life expectancy in the real world.
The faded text and rough handwriting suggested the warning wasn't part of Roselle's original design. It had likely been left by previous explorers.
Whether it was true or not, Enber didn't want to gamble with his life. His Pure White Eye could bypass some restrictions, but it would be wiser to return after reaching mid-sequence for safety.
Xio felt the same. As a Sequence 9, she wasn't reckless enough to charge into unknown danger unprepared.
"Since that's settled, I'll show you the exit. You probably haven't noticed it," Gaston said. He led them around a row of bookshelves and tapped a section of wall. Instantly, a glowing door appeared.
As they followed, Enber asked casually, "By the way, Mr. Gaston, when's the next gathering at the Sword and Fire tavern?"
His ninth-level reward had hinted that the next clue for his Guardian of Knowledge material might appear there.
"Thursday evening," Gaston replied. "Looks like you'll be staying here a few days. It's a public gathering — adventurers, sailors, pirates, even some military folk from nearby islands."
"Doesn't the Church of Storms intervene?" Enber asked. Most island territories were under their watch.
"This is a colony. Their influence is weaker here. As long as no one openly preaches a heretical cult or performs bloody sacrifices, they usually don't interfere," Gaston explained.
"Even so, your ability to host such gatherings must mean you're not just anyone," Enber noted, feigning curiosity.
"No need to pry, Enber," Gaston chuckled, amused. "I'm a peripheral member of the Church of Steam and Machinery. But since I'm from Intis, I can't act openly in Loen territory."
An Intis member of the Steam Church... no wonder he and Teacher are friends, Enber thought. The fact that Gaston hadn't reported the tower to the Church or the Machinery Hivemind meant his faith was hardly devout.
As they approached the glowing portal, Enber asked one last question. "Do you know if a lady named Gwen attends these gatherings?"
Gaston shook his head. "Most people keep their identities hidden. Very few even use pseudonyms."
Just then, they stepped through the portal and returned to the real world Casting one last glance at the inverted tower rising endlessly into the sky, Enber resolved:
Next time I come, I'll make it past the sixth level... maybe even the fifth or fourth. Something crucial for my advancement lies here.
Given Roselle's role as a "Knowledge Emperor," Enber suspected that one of his goals in building the tower had been to hide a Sealed Artifact — perhaps even a Blasphemy Card — deep within.
That, he reasoned, was the true reason the Dream Labyrinth Tower had never been claimed by any great power. The Card's aura must be concealing it from the senses of high-ranking Beyonders.
(End of Chapter)